Author
Charles Johnson
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WikipediaBooks by Charles Johnson
A general history of the pyrates : $b from their first rise and settlement in the island of Providence, to the present time
"A general history of the pyrates: from their first rise and settlement in the…" by Captain Charles Johnson is a book published in 1724 containing biographies of contemporary pirates. This influential work shaped popular conceptions of piracy, introducing features like buried treasure, the Jolly Roger flag, and mythical portrayals of figures like Blackbeard. Though not a historical primary source, it inspired writers like Robert Louis Stevenson and J.M. Barrie. The true author's identity remains unknown, with theories suggesting Daniel Defoe or publisher Nathaniel Mist.
Pirates
"Pirates" by Charles Johnson is a book published in 1724 containing biographies of contemporary pirates. Written under a pen name by an unknown London author, this work became the prime source for tales of infamous figures like Blackbeard and shaped modern conceptions of piracy. It introduced now-familiar elements including the Jolly Roger flag, treasure burial, and pirates with missing limbs. Though more literary fabrication than historical record, the book profoundly influenced later pirate fiction, including works by Robert Louis Stevenson and J. M. Barrie.