Charles Eden

Charles Eden (1673 – 26 March 1722) was the governor of North Carolina from 1713 to his death.

During the rule of Eden, the Carolinas were a haven for pirates, and the governor himself was rumored to have allowed pirate activity in return for receiving shares of their plunder.

Eden was also a friend of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. In the summer of 1718, the pirate half-heartedly accepted a pardon from Eden, only to return to piracy in August of that year.