Edward Teach, commonly known as Blackbeard, was an infamous English pirate who operated around the West Indies and along the eastern coast of the American colonies during the early 18th century. He was born around 1680 and became notorious for his fearsome appearance, characterized by his long black beard and the use of slow-burning fuses in his beard during battles to create a terrifying image. Teach commanded the ship Queen Anne's Revenge, which he captured in 1716. His piracy career was marked by acts of intimidation and violence, leading to a significant bounty on his head. He was killed in a fierce battle with British naval forces in 1718, marking the end of his notorious reign.