Bartholomew Roberts was a Welsh pirate captain and one of the most successful raiders of the early eighteenth century.
Born John Roberts in Wales, he entered piracy after pirates captured the slave ship on which he served. He accepted the pirate life and soon became captain following the death of Howell Davis in 1719. Roberts later adopted the name Bartholomew, possibly to distinguish himself from another John Roberts.
His career covered the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the West African coast. Sources commonly credit him with capturing more than 400 vessels, although totals vary because surviving records do not always distinguish captures from temporary seizures or vessels taken by his wider fleet.
Roberts was killed in battle against HMS Swallow near Cape Lopez in 1722. His death was a major blow to organized piracy. He is often called Black Bart, but that nickname is a later popular form rather than his original personal name.