In 1718, the notorious pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, met his end in a fierce battle off the coast of North Carolina. His death marked the decline of the Golden Age of Piracy, during which he had become a legendary figure, notorious for his fearsome appearance and ruthless tactics. Blackbeard's legacy endures in popular culture, symbolizing the romanticized image of piracy and the lawlessness of the high seas during that era.

Blackbeard's dramatic last stand and death in 1718 inspired a wealth of pirate poetry and adventure literature, influencing Romantic depictions of rebellion and freedom at sea. Poets like Robert Louis Stevenson drew on this rich imagery, celebrating the allure and danger of the pirate's life.