William Kidd (* 1645 in Greenock; "† 23. May 1701 in London) was a notorious Pirat. It was born in Scotland, emigrierte later to America and established themselves in New York. There he married Sara Bradley Cox Oort. They had two daughters with one another: Elizabeth and Sarah Kidd. The marriage brought a considerable fortune to Kidd, and before it became Pirat, he was a respected buyer.

During a travel to England Kidd a Freibeuterlizenz was offered, with which he was allowed to hunt Piraten. Four fifth of the costs was paid by noble gentlemen, who belonged also to the most powerful kingdom; the Earl OF Orford, the baron von Romney, the duke of Shrewsbury and Sir John Somers. These acted in the name of the British East India company. Kidd and an acquaintance, Colonel Robert Livingston, paid the remainder. Kidd had to be ship Antigua sell, in order to find means.

The new ship, the Adventure Galley, was well suitable for the hunt for Piraten; it had 34 cannons and 150 men crew. Kidds enterprise was however no success It had large difficulties to cover the costs and turned out under pressure of his men, it is each ship to attack that was not English. Legally it was allowed to attack only French ships and Piraten. In the process the actions Kidds ever more those of a Piraten than those resembled the travel one assigned the crown.

On 30 October 1697 it came to a controversy with a certain William of moorlands. In a following fight Kidd threw a metal-fitted bucket to this to the head, on which this died. At this turning point Kidd decided finally to hit a Piratenlaufbahn.

On 30 January 1698 it took the English ship Quedah Merchant. While it approached the ship, it hisste the French flag. Thereupon also the trading vessel gave to be French. After it had taken the ship, it determined the mistake. Kidd tried in vain to persuade its crew to the fact to return that ship to the legal owners.

Kidd reached Madagascar on 1 April 1698. Here it met Robert Culliford the first Piraten during its sea voyage, i.e. on the Mocha Frigate. He instructed the attack on the Mocha Frigate. Its men meuterten however and followed Culliford. Only 13 men remained Kidd faithfully.

Thereupon Kidd decided to return home. It left the Adventure Galley, instructed it to ignite and segelte on board the Quedah Merchant With the return to New York he was arrested and brought into the Stone Prison (stone prison). Later it was sent to England, in order to answer for itself because of Piraterie and the murder to William of moorlands before court. Up to the negotiation it was arrested in the notorious new gate prison. It was found all accusations for guilty and to 23. May 1701 in London hung. While the execution tore the cord twice and only with the third attempt could Kidd be hung. Its body was hung up in an iron cage over the Themse as warning for future Piraten. Kidds supporters from the Whigpartei were shamed by the process.

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