Read, Mary (1680–1721)

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Read, Mary (1680–1721)

English pirate. Born 1680 in England; died in Jamaica, April 28, 1721; husband died c. 1712–13; children: none.

Moved with mother to London (1684); ran away to sea, signing on as a cabin boy aboard a British man-of-war (1694); joined British army, serving as an infantryman and dragoon in Flanders during War of the Spanish Succession (somewhere between 1702–12); donned female clothing and married a former comrade-in-arms, much to the delight and amusement of her fellow soldiers; after husband died, signed on as a crew member aboard a Dutch merchantship bound for the West Indies; when the vessel was attacked at sea and plundered by pirates, was invited to join them and met Anne Bonney (1719); captured by Royal Navy while pregnant, was sentenced to death (1720); died in prison, just before she was to deliver her child (1721).

See also Women in World History.