Edward Teach was a notorious English pirate better known by what nickname?

Not much is really known about the early life of Edward Teach. He was born somewhere around 1680 probably in Bristol, England. By some reports, before he became a pirate Teach, better known as Blackbeard, served as a privateer during Queen Anne's War (1701–1714) and turned to piracy after the war's conclusion.

In what is referred to as the "Golden Age of Piracy", Blackbeard is probably the most notorious. He operated in the shipping lanes off the North American colonies and the Caribbean between 1717–1718.

In November of 1717, Blackbeard captured a very important prize, a large French slaving vessel called "La Concorde". The "La Concorde" was a 200-ton ship armed with 16 cannons and a crew of 75. Blackbeard renamed it "Queen Anne’s Revenge" and kept it for himself. He put 40 more cannons on it, making it one of the most formidable pirate ships ever.

Blackbeard’s First Mate was a man named Israel Hands. Robert Louis Stevenson borrowed his name for his classic novel "Treasure Island". Blackbeard's policy was to slaughter anyone who resisted but to spare anyone who did not resist. That policy became well known and may have assisted in capturing ships more intact, because more of the crew may surrender knowing they would be spared.

On November 22, 1718, Blackbeard was cornered by two Royal Navy sloops, "HMS Pearl" and "HMS Lyme". Blackbeard was killed in hand-to-hand fighting. When his body was examined they found five bullet wounds and 20 sword cuts.