Jean Lafitte

Jean Lafitte was a famous French pirate and privateer in the early 19th century, operating mainly around the Gulf of Mexico. He is best known for his role in smuggling goods and fighting against enemy ships, including during the War of 1812. Lafitte’s pirates used Barataria Bay, near New Orleans, as a hideout and base of operations. Despite his outlaw reputation, he also played a part in helping the United States defend New Orleans from the British invasion in 1815. Today, Lafitte is remembered as a complex figure—both a criminal and a regional hero—linked to pirate lore and Louisiana history.