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Calico Jack

English pirate (1682-1720) · United Kingdom · Politicians · Died at 37

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An English pirate who operated for barely two months in 1720 before his capture and hanging - remembered now almost entirely because two of his crew, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, were women.

Historical FiguresPoliticianPoliticsEarly Modern Era

Also in Deutsch

Photos 7

Captain Jack Rackham, Taking the Spanish Prize, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes MET DP835040Captain Jack Rackham, Taking the Spanish Prize, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes MET DP8350401724 engraving of Bonny from A General History of the Pyrates1724 engraving of Bonny from A General History of the PyratesA 1720 proclamation from Woodes Rogers naming John Rackham and his crew as piratesA 1720 proclamation from Woodes Rogers naming John Rackham and his crew as piratesThe Crossed Swords Jolly Roger pirate flag erroneously associated with RackhamThe Crossed Swords Jolly Roger pirate flag erroneously associated with RackhamThe "white pendant" flag used by Rackham[1]The "white pendant" flag used by Rackham[1]The Jolly Roger from Captain Blood, likely the inspiration for the Crossed Swords Jolly Roger.[15]The Jolly Roger from Captain Blood, likely the inspiration for the Crossed Swords Jolly Roger.[15]

About this person

John Rackham's life before piracy is unknown. By August 1720, he surfaced in Nassau, where on the 22nd he stole merchant John Ham's sloop from the harbor and set out. His career lasted two months. On 22 October 1720, former privateer Jonathan Barnet caught him. Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica, put him on trial, and Rackham was hanged in Port Royal on 18 November that year. The nickname "Calico Jack" appears nowhere in primary sources and is likely fiction invented later.

Country
United Kingdom
Category
Politicians
Type
Politician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1682 to 1720 · aged 37

Politicians from the United Kingdom 6

James Cleverly59.4Chuka Umunna59.1Walter Raleigh59.4Matthew Pennycook59.1Robert Clive59.4Michael Basman59.1

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