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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Pirate

Stede Bonnet

Stede Bonnet (c.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Stede Bonnet (c. 1688–1718) was a Barbadian landowner who turned pirate during the Golden Age of Piracy, earning the nickname the "Gentleman Pirate." He is best known for buying and outfitting his own ship, the Revenge, and for his brief association with the infamous Blackbeard.

What it is

Stede Bonnet was a wealthy landowner from Barbados who abandoned his plantation life to become a pirate in 1717. Unlike most pirates, he purchased his own vessel rather than stealing one, which made him an unusual figure in pirate history. His career was short, lasting about 20 months.

Why it matters

Bonnet's story stands out because he was a gentleman pirate — a person of privilege who chose piracy. His alliance with Blackbeard in 1718 highlights the connections between different pirate crews. His capture and execution in Charleston also marked a notable victory for colonial authorities against piracy.

Key details

Bonnet began raiding ships in 1717 along the Atlantic coast and the Caribbean. He teamed up with Blackbeard for part of 1718, though sources differ on whether he was a willing partner or under Blackbeard's control. He was captured in South Carolina, tried for piracy, and hanged in Charleston on 10 December 1718.

In short

  • Stede Bonnet was a wealthy Barbadian landowner turned pirate.
  • He bought his own ship, the Revenge, and was known as the "Gentleman Pirate."
  • He briefly associated with Blackbeard in 1718.
  • He was captured and executed by hanging in Charleston in December 1718.

Quick questions

Who was Stede Bonnet?
Stede Bonnet was a Barbadian landowner who became a pirate in 1717 and was known as the "Gentleman Pirate."
What happened to Stede Bonnet?
He was captured in 1718, tried for piracy in Charleston, and sentenced to death.
How did Stede Bonnet die?
He was hanged in Charleston, South Carolina, on 10 December 1718.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stede_Bonnet
    Supports: Basic dates, identity, nickname, and pirate career overview.
  2. World History Encyclopedia — https://www.worldhistory.org/Stede_Bonnet/
    Supports: Birthplace, piracy start date, ship, Blackbeard association, trial, and execution.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Stede-Bonnet
    Supports: Birth/death details, status as pirate, and Charleston blockade with Blackbeard.
  4. Library of Congress — https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2022/12/stede-bonnet-and-the-golden-age-of-piracy/
    Supports: Historical reality of Bonnet and birth in Barbados.
  5. North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources — https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2023/12/11/stede-bonnet-1688-1718-d-110
    Supports: Birth, capture, trial, and execution context.
  6. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/stede-bonnet
    Supports: Birth, ship purchase, piracy years, Blackbeard connection, capture, and execution.
  7. Smithsonian Magazine — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-gentleman-pirate-159418520/
    Supports: Nickname, background, purchase of ship, and execution.