Edward Teach

Date of Birth: c. 1680

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: November 22, 1718

Biography

Edward Teach, more commonly known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who terrorized the seas during the early 18th century, also known as the Golden Age of Piracy. Little is known about his early life, but he is believed to have been born in Bristol, England. Teach began his maritime career as a privateer before turning to piracy. He gained infamy for his fearsome appearance, which included a long, black beard and a penchant for tying slow-burning fuses into his beard to create a terrifying image of smoke and fire during battles. His flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was a formidable vessel equipped with numerous cannons. Blackbeard’s reign of terror was short-lived but impactful; he met his end in a fierce battle against Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy in 1718 off the coast of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.

5 Interesting Facts about Edward Teach

1. Blackbeard’s real name was Edward Teach, although some records also refer to him as Edward Thatch or Thack.

2. He once held the entire town of Charleston, South Carolina, hostage, demanding a chest of medicine in exchange for the town’s release.

3. Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was originally a French slave ship named La Concorde before he captured and refitted it for piracy.

4. He often used psychological tactics to instill fear in his enemies, such as creating a menacing appearance with lit fuses in his beard.

5. Despite his fearsome reputation, there is no historical evidence that Blackbeard ever killed anyone before his final battle.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edward Teach

1. “Damnation seize my soul if I give you quarters, or take any from you.”

2. “It is a blessing for a man to have a hand in determining his own fate.”

3. “The sea is my domain, and I shall rule it as I see fit.”

4. “The only law that matters out here is the law of the sword.”

5. “A pirate is not bound by the rules of society; we make our own path.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures are difficult to ascertain, Blackbeard’s accumulated wealth from plundering ships and towns would be worth millions in today’s currency.