Micajah "Big" Harpe, born Joshua Harper (before 1768 – August 24, 1799), and Wiley "Little" Harpe, born William Harper (before 1770 – February 8, 1804), were American murderers, highwaymen and river pirates who operated in Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi in the late 18th century.
Today, though, those achievements can only be seen in the shadow of the secret life he led as the perpetrator of more than a hundred gruesome child murders, a rampage which made him arguably the first serial killer in recorded history. The early life of Gilles de Rais was marked by tragedy.
Albert Hicks, the United States' last pirate, is hanged on Bedloe's Island in New York Bay. DeWitt Publishing House, The Life-Trial-Confession and Execution of Albert W. Hicks: the Pirate and Murderer .... (New York: DeWitt Publishing, 1860), 15.
Hicks (c. 1820 – July 13, 1860), also known as Elias W. Hicks, William Johnson, John Hicks, and Pirate Hicks, was a triple murderer and one of the last people executed for piracy in the United States.
Albert Fish was one of the most notorious serial killers of the 1920s. From 1924 to 1934, he is suspected of having killed seven children in New York City and its surrounding areas. He was finally arrested after a letter he wrote to one of his victims' families revealed information that only their killer would know.
Serial killers with the highest known victim count. The most prolific modern serial killer is arguably doctor Harold Shipman, with 218 probable murders and possibly as many as 250 (see "Medical professionals", below).
The famed pirate died in a sea battle with a Virginia-based squadron in 1718. A British commander had Blackbeard's head cut off and displayed on a scaffold. The skull is rumored to have reappeared in various locations as a drinking vessel. For the meantime, this skull remains in storage at the Peabody Essex Museum.
Bartholomew Roberts
He was the last great pirate of the golden age who plundered more than 400 ships.
Edward Low started his piratical career in 1721 in the Caribbean. Over the next few years, Low blazed a path of destruction, becoming, according to one contemporary account, “the most noted pirate in America” – and certainly the most vicious. He seemed to relish torturing and killing his victims.
Blackbeard
Blackbeard is possibly the most famous pirate in history, but his life is shrouded in mystery. Much of what we know about him and other pirates of his time comes from a 1724 book, published under the name Capt.
1 – Blackbeard
Easily the most famous buccaneer on the list and possibly the most terrifying pirate of all time, Blackbeard had a reputation of horrific magnitude in his day.
Captain Kidd can be said to be the most unfortunate pirate ever to sail the high seas! For it was his bad luck to sail as a privateer/pirate just when the rules changed and the privateer/pirate became an outlaw.
Amarjeet Sada: The Eight-Year-Old 'Sadist' Who Became The World's Youngest Serial Killer.
Earlier in the year, DNA evidence emerged that suggests we can identify the true identity of Jack the Ripper. A shawl found by the body of Catherine Eddowes that contains 'forensic stains' has been used to identify the killer as Aaron Kosminski, a 23-year-old barber from Poland.
It is estimated that there have been over 400 female serial killers throughout history with an average age at arrest being 33 years old and African Americans accounting for 20%.
John Ward was the inspiration for the character of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Ward's nickname was 'Sparrow' and he was known for his flamboyant style – much like the Hollywood icon. Ward so ingratiated himself with Uthman Dey that he was given a large plot of land in Tunis.
Blackbeard had no grave at all. His body was thrown into Pamlico Sound, his head given as a trophy to Spotswood, who had it displayed on a tall pole in Hampton Roads, at a site now known as Blackbeard's Point.
The Pirate King (海賊王 Kaizoku-Ō, also called King of the Pirates in the English versions) is a title applied to the strongest pirate alive. Its latest—perhaps only—universally-acknowledged holder was Gol D. Roger, who inextricably linked it with the mythical treasure known as One Piece.
Aftermath of Blackbeard's Death
More of Blackbeard's crew, including his boatswain Israel Hands, were captured on land. Thirteen were hanged. Hands avoided the noose by testifying against the rest and because a pardon offer arrived in time to save him.
Except for a sprinkling of gold dust—less than one ounce so far—no treasure has been found aboard the vessel likely piloted by Edward Teach, the British-born pirate known as Blackbeard.
Discovered off the coast of Wellfleet, MA, the Whydah Gally is the world's only authenticated pirate ship. Learn more about its fascinating history.
From Australia's first serial killer (William MacDonald) to its worst (the "Snowtown" murders), Australia has suffered a wide range of homicidal psychopaths who were compelled to keep killing until they were caught.
Ted Bundy actually did use his handsomeness and charisma to charm his victims before killing them, so maybe this particular casting choice isn't as crazy as it seems.
But both Hitler and Stalin were outdone by Mao Zedong. From 1958 to 1962, his Great Leap Forward policy led to the deaths of up to 45 million people—easily making it the biggest episode of mass murder ever recorded.