John Ward was an English privateer-turned-Barbary corsair who, after being refused a pardon by King James I, settled in Tunis, converted to Islam, and took the name Yusuf Reis, commanding a fleet that raided Mediterranean shipping. His notoriety in England made him a figure of contemporary plays and pamphlets. He retired from active raiding around 1612 and reportedly died of plague in Tunis roughly a decade later.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | John Ward |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Jack Ward; Yusuf Reis |
| Born | c. 1553 (unverified) |
| Died | 1622 (reported, plague) |
| Nationality | English |
| Years Active | 1603-1612 |
| Fate | Retired from active corsair raiding around 1612 to teach navigation and gunnery in Tunis; reportedly died of plague there around 1622 |
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