Edward Teach (; c. 1689 ? November 22, 1718), better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate in the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic during the early 18th century, a period referred to as the Golden Age of Piracy. His best known vessel was the Queen Annes Revenge, which is believed to have run aground near Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina in 1718.Queen Annes Revenge Online

Blackbeard often fought, or simply showed himself, wearing a big feathered tricorn, and having multiple swords, knives, and pistols at his disposal. It was reported in A General Historie of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates that he had hemp and lit matches woven into his enormous black beard during battle to intimidate his enemies. Blackbeard is often regarded as the archetypal image of the seafaring pirate.

Anne Bonny (March 8,1700 - possibly April 25, 1782) was an Irish American pirate who plied her trade in the Caribbean.

Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral, (c. 1540 - January 27 1595) was an English privateer, navigator, slave trader, and politician of the Elizabethan era. Queen Elizabeth I awarded Drake knighthood in 1581. He was second-in-command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada in 1588, subordinate only to Charles Howard and the Queen herself. He died of dysentery after unsuccessfully attacking San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1595.

His exploits were semi-legendary, making him a hero to the English but a simple pirate to the Spaniards. He was known as "El Draque" (from the old Spanish meaning "the Dragon" derived from the Latin draco, meaning 'serpent', an obvious play on his family name which in archaic English has the same etymological root) for his actions. King Philip II was claimed to have offered a reward of 20,000 ducatsCummins, John, Francis Drake: The Lives of a Hero, 1996,

Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 0312163657 (about £4m or $8m by modern standards) for his life.

William "Captain" Kidd (c. 1645 - May 23, 1701) was a Scottish sailor remembered for his trial and execution for piracy after returning from a voyage to the Indian Ocean. Some modern historians deem his piratical reputation unjust, as there is evidence that Kidd acted only as a privateer. Kidd's fame springs largely from the sensational circumstances of his questioning before the English Parliament and the ensuing trial. His actual depredations on the high seas, whether piratical or not, were both less destructive and less lucrative than those of many other contemporary pirates and privateers.

Gráinne Ní Mháille (c. 1530 ? c. 1603), also known as Granuaile or Gráinne Mhaol, known in English as 'Grace OMalley', is an important figure in Irish folklore, but was in fact a larger-than-life figure from 16th century Irish history. OMalley is sometimes known as "The Sea Queen Of Connaught". Her name appears in contemporary documents as Gráinne Ui Mháille, Gráinne Umhaill. Anglicized versions of her name in contemporary English state papers included Grany O'Maly, Grany Imallye, Granny Nye Male, Grany O'Mayle, Granie ny Maille, Granny ni Maille, Grany O'Mally, Grayn Ny Mayle, Grane ne Male, Grainy O'Maly, and Granee O'Maillie. Chambers, Anne: Irelands Pirate Queen: The True Story of Grace O'Malley, p. 39. New York: MJF, 2003. She has been biographed primarily in the 20th and 21st century by the historian Anne Chambers. The Irish song "Oró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile" is dedicated to her. Her story is currently being made into a feature film.