Bonnet was a retired Major in the King's Guards who lived with his wife on his large estate in Barbados. He was a proper well-educated man who was well respected by those who knew him. Then sometime in 1717, Bonnet became a pirate even though he knew nothing of seamanship. He earned the nickname of the "gentleman pirate" because of his cultured background which he continued to portray while he was a

Major Stede Bonnet was one of the more unique pirates commonly known as the "gentleman pirate." His background was not that of a typical pirate and he was not that entirely successful as one either but he became well known for his actions, in particular when he traveled with the notorious Blackbeard. Contrary to modern popular belief, Bonnet was also known as one of the very few pirates who had prisoners "walk the plank."