Jan Janszoon was a Dutch sailor captured by Barbary corsairs in 1618, after which he converted to Islam, adopted the name Murat Reis, and became a leading figure among the ‘Salé Rovers’ operating from the Corsair Republic of Salé in Morocco. He led raids as far as Iceland in 1627, capturing captives for the Barbary slave trade. He served as the republic’s first elected president before later relocating his base of operations.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | Jan Janszoon van Haarlem |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Murat Reis the Younger |
| Born | c. 1570-1575 |
| Died | c. 1641 (unverified) |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Years Active | 1618-1641 |
| Fate | Ceded leadership of Salé around 1627 and continued corsair activity from Oualidia, Morocco; exact date and circumstances of his death are not reliably documented |
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