Few pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy are as enigmatic or impactful as Henry Every, also known as “Long Ben.” His daring exploits, mysterious disappearance, and the relentless pursuit by authorities have cemented his place in maritime history as one of the most infamous and intriguing pirates of all time.
### Early Life and Rising Reputation
Henry Every was born around 1659 in Devon, England. Little is known about his early years, but by the late 17th century, he had taken to the seas, initially working as a sailor and privateer. Unlike many pirates who emerged from rough beginnings, Every’s early career suggested a man capable of strategic thinking and leadership.
His rise to notoriety began in the early 1690s, during a period when the British East India Company’s ships sailed along dangerous routes plagued by piracy, privateering, and competing colonial powers. Every and his crew initially operated as privateers, authorized to attack enemy ships, but they soon crossed the line into outright piracy.
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