Guide Note

Pirates are criminals who rob and pillage seagoing vessels and have existed since the earliest days of sea travel. In recent times, the word pirate has also been applied to people who use the Internet to illegally copy, counterfeit or reproduce original works.

Pirates have a long history as the subjects of various legends, books, artwork and movies.

Fast Facts

1. Pirates cause an estimated $13-$16 million in losses each year
2. Many historical pirate crews acted as democracies
3. Many historical pirates ate poorly, never became wealthy, and died young
4. The Jolly Roger is the name given to the skull and crossbones flags Pirates often flew
5. Most pirates did not bury their treasure
6. Many pirates would be classified as alcoholics by modern standards

1. Edward "Blackbeard" Teach
2. William Kidd
3. "Black Sam" Samuel Bellamy
4. Sir Francis Drake
5. Anne Bonny

1. "It's better to be a pirate than to join the Navy."—Steve Jobs
2. "Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."—Mark Twain
3. "They vilify us, the scoundrels do, when there is only this difference, they rob the poor under the cover of law, forsooth, and we plunder the rich under the protection of our own courage. Had you not better make then one of us, than sneak after these villains for employment?"—Samuel Bellamy
4. "It is when pirates count their booty that they become mere thieves."—William Bolitho