Executed, dipped in tar and his remains hung in a cage over the River Thames for 20 years, Dundonian William Kidd had an ignominious end.
During his life, however, Captain Kidd was an infamous privateer and then feared pirate who plundered his way around the high seas.
Now underwater explorers in the Indian Ocean believe they may have discovered some of the treasure he amassed during a productive career.
Soldiers on Sainte Marie island, off the coast of Madagascar, have been guarding a 50kg silver bar after divers brought it to shore.
The team, led by respected American underwater explorer Barry Clifford, believes the bar is from the wreckage of one of the pirate’s ships.
Captain Kidd is said to have been captured and gone to his execution in 1701 as he returned from a voyage to the Indian Ocean.
Further investigations are to take place to establish the veracity of the claims, but the team have no doubts and are confident the vessel they discovered on the seabed is of English origin.
Madagascar’s president, as well as UK and US diplomats, received the suspected treasure at a ceremony on the island.
Born in Dundee to a seafaring family in 1654, Kidd quickly took to the sea and made a fortune as a businessman and trader in America before becoming a privateer.
The government-backed form of piracy was a murky affair, with many captains seen as little more than criminals.
A large number became just that, as the lure of plunder became too much, and Captain Kidd soon achieved legendary status after the temptation became too great.
He is said to have plundered countless vessels, burying treasure across the globe, some on islands within sight of New York.
The 500-tonne Armenian ship the Quedagh Merchant was his richest prize and eventual downfall.
In 1698 he captured the vessel and its gold, silks and spices, but was hunted after its influential owner complained to the East India Company then one of the most influential trading firms.
Shifting perceptions of piracy saw him cast out as a criminal and, despite fleeing to the Caribbean and then Boston, he was captured and killed.
The huge quantities of booty the Dundonian is said to have captured have never been found, adding to his legend.