DiscoverWrite About NowThe Truth Behind One of History's Most Misunderstood Men
The Truth Behind One of History's Most Misunderstood Men

The Truth Behind One of History's Most Misunderstood Men

Update: 2025-07-15
Share

Description

Captain William Kidd is one of the most famous names in pirate lore. But what if he wasn't actually a pirate at all? In this episode, bestselling author and scientist Samuel Marquis joins me to talk about his new book Captain Kidd: A Story of Treasure and Betrayal. Marquis has a personal stake in the story — he's Captain Kidd's ninth great grandson. We talk about Kidd's rise from colonial sea captain to pirate-hunter, the murky politics of the time, his dramatic trial in London, and the love story that's rarely told. Marquis argues Kidd was less Blackbeard and more fall guy — a man caught in a scandalous power struggle between the English crown, shady investors, and the East India Company. 

Subscribe to Jon's Substack Small Talk 

This episode is sponsored by AG1

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

The Truth Behind One of History's Most Misunderstood Men

The Truth Behind One of History's Most Misunderstood Men