Mary Read The Print Collector/Heritage-Images

Mary Read was born an illegitimate daughter but raised as a legitimate son. Her half-brother, born to their mother shortly after her husband died at sea, was to be taken care of by his grandmother until he was grown. When he died, Mary’s mother quickly became pregnant with Mary and after her birth attempted to pass her off as the dead son. The grandmother got wise, however, and that was the end of that scheme. Mary’s mother continued to dress her as a boy, however, to hire her out as household help. She worked on ships and even joined the army as a man. While sailing on a Dutch ship, Mary was captured by “Calico Jack” Rackham and his crew. She soon became friends with Anne Bonny, Rackham’s lover, who had discovered her secret. They pillaged and plundered with the best of them, but it wasn’t to last. Upon their eventual capture, both pleaded “pregnant” and escaped execution, but Mary died in jail.