Has there been anyone more badass and baller than Blackbeard the Pirate (the inspiration for Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow)? Don't bother answering that, because the answer is a resounding NO!

Blackbeard (aka Edward Teach) was a feared pirate and a legitimate crazy person. He would attach lit fuses to his long black hair and beard to scare enemies. His flag is also quite possibly the most awesome thing ever.

Blackbeard wasn't a North Carolinian (which is a shame), but he died in North Carolina — and his ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, sunk there, so we claim him.