Robert Maynard
Robert Maynard | |
|---|---|
Capture of the Pirate, Blackbeard, 1718, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris | |
| Born | 19 September 1684 |
| Died | 1 January 1750 (aged 65) Great Mongeham, Kent |
| Buried | St Martin's Church, Kent |
| Allegiance | England Great Britain |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Service years | c. 1707–1750 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | HMS Cumberland HMS Sheerness HMS Antelope HMS Russell HMS Ipswich |
| Conflicts | |
| Spouse | Ann Johnson Maynard |
| Relations | Margaret Mitchell (sister) Thomas Maynard (brother) |
Captain Robert Maynard (19 September 1684 – 4 January 1750) was a Royal Navy officer. Little is known about Maynard's early life, other than that he was born in England in 1684 and eventually joined the English navy. He was made a lieutenant in January 1707, and by 1709 was the third lieutenant on HMS Bedford.
In November 1718, Maynard was tasked with hunting down and capturing the notorious pirate Blackbeard. While leading HMS Pearl, Maynard lured Blackbeard into attacking his ship off the coast of North Carolina, and in the ensuing struggle Maynard and his crew killed Blackbeard. Expecting to be rewarded for his actions, Maynard was never fully compensated or paid for the expedition. He was eventually promoted to master and commander in 1739, and to captain in 1740, before dying at the age of 65 in his home county of Kent.