William Jackson (pirate)

William Jackson was an English privateer and pirate active in the Caribbean during the mid-17th century, primarily between 1642 and 1645. He is best known for leading a large and destructive raid on Spanish possessions, most notably the sack of Maracaibo and Trujillo (both in present-day Venezuela) in 1642.

Jackson's early life and career before his piratical exploits are not well documented. He appears to have initially operated under letters of marque, essentially making him a privateer licensed by the English government to attack Spanish shipping and settlements during periods of Anglo-Spanish tension. However, he quickly transitioned to full-fledged piracy.

His most significant expedition began in 1642 with a fleet of several ships and hundreds of men. He successfully attacked and plundered numerous Spanish settlements along the Spanish Main. The raids on Maracaibo and Trujillo were particularly devastating, resulting in significant losses of Spanish life and property. Jackson held the cities for ransom and inflicted considerable damage before departing with a substantial amount of loot.

Following his successful raids, Jackson attempted to establish a permanent base of operations on Tortuga, an island off the coast of Hispaniola that would later become a major pirate haven. However, his efforts were unsuccessful.

After 1645, William Jackson disappears from historical records. His ultimate fate is unknown, but it is presumed he either died at sea, retired from piracy with his ill-gotten gains, or was killed in some other unknown circumstance. He remains a notable figure in the history of Caribbean piracy due to the scale and audacity of his raids, particularly the sack of Maracaibo.