9. History’s Most Famous Pirate Was Nowhere Near to Being Its Most Successful
Blackbeard, real name Edward Teach (circa 1680 – 1718), is probably the most famous pirate of all time. His actual career accomplishments as a pirate, however, were few, far in between, and relatively miniscule.
Blackbeard started his career as a privateer. He became an out and out pirate in 1716, when he joined the crew of Benjamin Hornigold, who mentored him and taught him the ropes of piracy. Blackbeard soon became first mate and second in command, and was entrusted with his own sloop to operate in conjunction with Hornigold’s main ship.