Charles Eden (1673 – March 26, 1722) was appointed Governor of North Carolina on July 13, 1713. He is best known for his actions to end piracy in the area. Gentlemen pirate Stede Bonnet and the notorious Blackbeard (Edward Teach) surrendered to Governor Eden and received the King's Pardon upon promising to change their ways. Both, however, would eventually return to piracy.

In 1719 prominent North Carolinian Edward Moseley accused Governor Eden of profiting from Blackbeard's crimes. Moseley was arrested and fined for his accusations. Eden presented an account of his dealings with Blackbeard to the provincial council, which accepted his pleas of innocence. Nevertheless, Eden's reputation has long been clouded by his connections to Blackbeard.

Governor Eden died in of yellow fever in Bertie County in 1722 at the age of 48. Edenton, North Carolina is named for him.

[edit] Film depictions

Governor Eden was featured as a character in the Hallmark Entertainment mini series Blackbeard, portrayed by Richard Chamberlain. However, the film takes severe dramatic license, portraying Eden as the governor of New Providence, the island which is now the capitol of the Bahamas, sporting the city of Nassau (though never mentioned in the film), as opposed to his real occupation as Governor of North Carolina. The film also puts heavy emphasis on the fact that Eden engaged in illegal trade with [Blackbeard]] (which is true), but the film also states that he conspired with colonial secretrary Tobias Knight to arrange the murder of Eden's stepdaughter in order to claim her inheritance, which is debatable.

[edit] External links

• Woodard, Colin. The Republic of Pirates. Harcourt, New York, NY. (2007). (Account of his role in piracy.) Charles Eden page at associated website

[edit] See also

• Edward Moseley

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