Laurens de Graaf | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Laurens Cornelis Boudewijn de Graaf c. 1653 |
| Died | 24 May 1704 (aged c. 51) possibly Santo Domingo |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Occupation(s) | Pirate, mercenary |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 (with Dieu-le-Veut) |
Laurens Cornelis Boudewijn de Graaf (c. 1653 – 24 May 1704) was a Dutch pirate, mercenary, and naval officer in the service of the French colony of Saint-Domingue during the late 17th and early 18th century.
De Graaf was also known as Laurencillo or Lorencillo or simply El Griffe (Spanish), Sieur de Baldran or simply Laurent de Graff (French) and Gesel van de West (Dutch; "Scourge of the West"). Henry Morgan, the governor of Jamaica, characterized him as "a great and mischievous pirate". De Graaf was described as tall, blond, mustached and handsome.[1] Some Spanish thought he was the Devil in person.
- ^ The Buccaneer's Realm: Pirate Life on the Spanish Main, 1674-1688 by Benerson Little (Potomac Books, 2007)