Captain Kidd

Captain Kidd was the common name of William Kidd, a Scottish sailor and privateer born around 1645 who became one of the most famous figures associated with piracy in the English-speaking world.

Captain Kidd was the common name of William Kidd, a Scottish sailor and privateer who became one of the most famous figures associated with piracy in the English-speaking world. He was tried and executed in London in 1701, and his name became tied to legends about buried treasure and disputed claims over whether he was a pirate or a privateer.

What it is

William Kidd, born around 1645 in Greenock, Scotland, was a privateer who later became accused of piracy. He sailed the ship Adventure Galley on a voyage that began in 1696, and his capture of the Quedagh Merchant became central to the case against him.

Why it matters

Kidd’s trial and execution in 1701 made him a lasting symbol of piracy in popular culture. His story raises questions about the line between privateering and piracy, and his name is forever linked to treasure legends that persist today.

Key details

Kidd was arrested, sent to England, convicted, and hanged in London on 23 May 1701. Some treasure was reportedly recovered from Gardiners Island, but no complete cache has ever been verified. Historians generally describe him as a privateer, though his conviction cemented his pirate reputation.