23rd May 1701: Captain Kidd, the Scottish privateer, executed in London after being convicted of piracy and murder

**Scott Allsop** (0:00)
On the 23rd of May 1701, Captain Kidd, the Scottish privateer, was executed in London after being convicted of piracy and murder. Welcome to HistoryPod.
William Kidd was born in Scotland but settled in New York as a young man. By 1696, he had established himself as an experienced sailor and was granted a commission by the English colonial governor as a privateer in the Indian Ocean. This authorized him to suppress piracy and capture French vessels, reflecting concerns about the disruption caused by pirates to trade routes. Financial backing for the expedition included prominent political figures, linking the venture to broader imperial and commercial priorities. During his voyage to the Indian Ocean, Kidd captured the Kedar Merchant, a vessel carrying valuable cargo, including gold, silver and a variety of fabrics. Although he claimed the ship was a legitimate prize, its ownership and the circumstances of its capture were disputed and led to accusations that Kidd had exceeded his authority and engaged in piracy. After selling some of his captured goods and depositing others, he returned to the American colonies, where he found political support had weakened. Kidd was arrested and sent to England for trial on charges of piracy and the murder of a crew member, William Moore. He was found guilty, and on the 23rd of May was executed by hanging at Execution Dock on the River Thames. His body was subsequently placed in a gibbet and displayed over the River Thames at Tilbury Point.
Kidd's story later became intertwined with the image of the pirate in literature and folklore. Stories of his buried treasure contributed to enduring myths that influenced later works such as Treasure Island, while ballads and pamphlets allowed his story to contribute to cultural memory and popular narratives of piracy.