Color enhanced engraving of Blackbeard from "A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious Pirates", 1736 edition. Edward Teach (1680 - November 22, 1718), better known as Blackbeard, was a notorious English pirate who operated around the West Indies and the eastern coast of the American colonies. He was a sailor on privateer ships during Queen Anne's War. By war's end, he had become an experienced sea robber and decided to join a group of Caribbean pirates. His nickname came from his thick black beard and fearsome appearance. There is no known account of his ever having harmed or murdered those he held captive. Blackbeard and several of his crew were killed on November 22, 1718 by a group of sailors sent by the governor of Virginia to capture him. His corpse was thrown into the inlet while his head was suspended from the bowsprit of the sailors sloop. Blackbeard's flag depicted a skeleton spearing a heart, while toasting the devil.