Surcouf, Robert (1773–1827)

French corsair. He joined the French merchant navy in 1789 and set up base in Port Louis, Mauritius, from which he raided enemy commerce in the Indian Ocean. He secured numerous captures from Portuguese and British shipping, the most important being the East Indiaman Kent, which he boarded in the Bay of Bengal and captured after a fight against odds of three to one. Known as King of the Corsairs, he combined a spirit of chivalry with great physical courage and admirable seamanship. He returned to France in 1809, and retired from the sea. Surcouf was born in St-Malo, France.