Reefs, Wrecks and Rascals: The Pirate Legacy of the Spanish Main (Deep Dives into Special Collections)

Pirates and buccaneers played a significant role in the early history of the Americas, and their adventures and exploits continue to fascinate us to this day. Books and manuscripts, both fictional and true, add dimension to our understanding of how pirates joined explorers, traders, slavers, and settlers to shape the history and culture of the Atlantic World.

Almost from the beginning, stories of pirates were documented in manuscripts written by sea captains and storytellers who wanted to share—and often embellish—great tales of adventure. Many accounts of piracy and high-seas intrigue are included in the books, maps, and manuscripts housed in Special Collections at the University of Miami Libraries, which includes the Jay I. Kislak Collection of the Early Americas, Exploration and Navigation.

Join Kislak Collection Curator Arthur Dunkelman, as he explores the history of piracy on the Atlantic, the feats and misdeeds of some infamous pirates, and the times in which they lived.