Bartholomew Roberts (c. 1682 - February 10, 1722), also known as Black Bart, was one of the most notorious pirates of his day. Born at Casnewydd-Bach (Little Newcastle) near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire Wales, he is believed to have had one of the most successful pirating careers in history. Bartholomew Roberts captured several hundred vessels, and sometimes even as many as twenty-two at the time. His pirating career started at age 37, when he shipped as second mate aboard the slave ship Princess, which was captured by pirate captain Howel Davis at Anomabu on the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana). Within six weeks of his capture, Roberts, a tall dark man, was elected captain of the pirate ship Rover, following the demise of captain Davis at the island of Príncipe.

His career as pirate captain abruptly ended in February, 1722 off Cape Lopez, Gabon, when he was killed aboard his flagship the Royal Fortune. Roberts was killed by grapeshot cannon fire, which struck him in the neck, while he was battling captain Chaloner Ogle's company of HMS Swallow . HMS Swallow was a man-of-war which was sent to West Africa, to capture and arrest pirates. Before his body could be captured by Ogle, Roberts' wish to be buried at sea was fulfilled by his crew, who threw his body overboard.

Roberts was no ordinary pirate, though. Here are some unique things about him:

• He was always well-dressed
• Had excellent manners
• Did not share his cabin with anyone
• Did not drink alcohol
• Had excellent handwriting
• Was always clean-shaven
• Liked classical music and had on-board musicians
• And had a standing order to be thrown into the sea if he died in battle

As a result, some historians argue Bartholomew Roberts might have been a woman, for example he might have been Anne Bonny after she escaped the gallows.

It is likely that the character Dread Pirate Roberts from the novel and movie The Princess Bride was based in part on Bartholomew Roberts.

References

• Defoe, Daniel (1724). A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates (1999 ed.). New York: Carroll & Graf. ISBN 0-7867-0622-8.