# Henry Every

> English captain and pirate

**Wikidata**: [Q456882](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q456882)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/henry-every

## Summary

Henry Every (also spelled Avery, Evory) was an English captain and pirate who operated during the late 17th century. He is historically significant for being one of the most notorious pirates of his era, earning nicknames such as "Long Ben," "Big Ben," "The Arch Pirate," and "The King of Pirates." His career as a pirate placed him within the context of the Kingdom of England, a historic kingdom that existed from 927 to 1707, and he transitioned from legitimate privateering to piracy during a period of maritime conflict and opportunity.

## Biography

- **Born:** Date and place not specified in source material
- **Nationality:** English (Kingdom of England)
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Captaining pirate ships and conducting raids on merchant vessels; one of the most famous pirates of the late 17th century
- **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material (though historically associated with privateering commissions before turning to piracy)
- **Field(s):** Maritime piracy, privateering

## Contributions

Based on the source material, specific contributions, publications, or concrete outcomes are not detailed. Henry Every's historical significance derives from his activities as a pirate captain, which fall under the broader categories of maritime piracy and privateering. The source material identifies him primarily through his occupational identity and associated aliases rather than specific achievements or events.

## FAQs

**What was Henry Every's occupation?**
Henry Every was an English captain and pirate, historically recognized as one of the most notorious pirates of the late 17th century.

**What aliases did Henry Every use?**
Henry Every was known by multiple aliases including Henry Evory, Henry Avery, John Avery, Henry Bridgeman, Long Ben, Big Ben, "The Arch Pirate," and "The King of Pirates."

**What was Henry Every's nationality?**
Henry Every was English, associated with the Kingdom of England, a historic kingdom that existed from 927 to 1707 on the British Isles.

**What is the difference between a privateer and a pirate?**
A privateer was a private person or ship authorized by a government to attack foreign shipping during wartime, while a pirate practices piracy without governmental authorization. Historical figures like Henry Every often transitioned between these roles.

**How is Henry Every documented in modern knowledge bases?**
Henry Every has a Wikipedia entry titled "Henry Every" and a Wikidata entry with the description "English captain and pirate," with a sitelink count of 39 indicating his presence across multiple Wikimedia projects.

## Why They Matter

Henry Every matters as a historical figure who embodies the transition from legitimate privateering to piracy that characterized much of late 17th-century maritime activity. His notoriety earned him multiple legendary nicknames, including "The King of Pirates," suggesting his influence and reputation within pirate communities and among maritime authorities. As an English captain operating from the Kingdom of England, his career reflects the broader historical context of maritime competition, colonial expansion, and the blurry lines between state-sanctioned privateering and criminal piracy during this era. His documented presence across multiple knowledge bases (sitelink count: 39) indicates continued historical and cultural interest in his life and activities.

## Notable For

- Being an English captain who became one of the most notorious pirates of the late 17th century
- Holding the nickname "The King of Pirates," indicating his prominence among pirate contemporaries
- Operating under multiple aliases (at least 8 documented aliases)
- Being associated with both privateering (state-sanctioned piracy) and unrestricted piracy
- Maintaining historical documentation across 39 Wikimedia sitelinks, demonstrating persistent cultural memory

## Body

### Identity and Names

Henry Every was an English captain and pirate known by numerous aliases throughout his career. His documented aliases include Henry Evory, Henry Avery, John Avery, Henry Bridgeman, Long Ben, Big Ben, "The Arch Pirate," and "The King of Pirates." This proliferation of names was common among pirates and privateers of the era, often used to evade authorities or establish reputation. The nickname "The King of Pirates" particularly stands out, suggesting he held a position of leadership or respect within pirate communities that exceeded typical captaincy.

### National and Historical Context

Henry Every operated within the Kingdom of England, a historic kingdom on the British Isles that existed from 927 to 1649 and again from 1660 to 1707. This period was characterized by significant maritime expansion, colonial competition, and frequent naval conflicts. The distinction between privateers—private individuals authorized by governments to attack enemy shipping—and pirates (persons practicing piracy without authorization) was often ambiguous. Many captains, including likely Henry Every, transitioned between these roles depending on political circumstances, military conflicts, and personal ambition.

### Professional Classification

The source material identifies two related professional categories relevant to Henry Every: privateer and pirate. A privateer was defined as a private person or ship authorized by a government to attack foreign shipping, typically during wartime. A pirate, by contrast, practiced piracy without such authorization. The existence of both terms in the source material reflects the complex legal and moral landscape of maritime activity during the late 17th century, when the line between legitimate warfare and criminal predation was frequently contested.

### Documentation and Legacy

Henry Every maintains a presence in modern knowledge systems, with a dedicated Wikipedia article titled "Henry Every" and a Wikidata entry describing him simply as "English captain and pirate." The sitelink count of 39 indicates his appearance across 39 different Wikimedia projects, suggesting ongoing historical interest and documentation. This digital presence ensures his continued recognition as a significant figure in pirate history and maritime heritage of the Kingdom of England.

## References

1. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Quora
4. FactGrid