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Jan Lichthart

1582 – 1646

Dutch admiral

Pirate
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About Jan Lichthart

Lived 1582 – 1646 (aged 63–64). Jan Lichthart was a Dutch pirate.

Jan Cornelisz Lichthart (died 30 November 1646), also known as Johan or Johannes Lichthart, was a Dutch admiral in the service of the Dutch West India Company. He distinguished himself as a buccaneer, attacking Spanish and Portuguese fleets and forts in the Caribbean and South America, particularly along the coast of present-day Brazil.

Lichthart, who had lived in Lisbon and spoke Portuguese, played a major part in the Dutch struggle against the Portuguese for possession of Brazil from 1630 onwards (see further Dutch Brazil). For instance, a squadron under his command conquered São Luis do Maranhão from the Portuguese in 1641. And at Tamandaré on September 9, 1645, a squadron under his command destroyed a Portuguese squadron under the command of Jerônimo Serrão de Paiva.

In 1630, he defeated a squadron of three Dunkirker ships following a pitched eight-hour battle.

He died on 30 November 1646 in Brazil, near the São Francisco River, after "drinking cold water when he was much heated."

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Important facts

Born
1582, Netherlands
Birth century
Occupation
Pirate
Nationality
Also known as
Johannes Lichthart

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jan Lichthart's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jan Lichthart?

Dutch admiral

When was Jan Lichthart born?

Jan Lichthart was born in 1582 in Netherlands.

When did Jan Lichthart die?

Jan Lichthart died on 30 November 1646 in São Francisco River.

What was Jan Lichthart's occupation?

Jan Lichthart was a pirate.

What nationality was Jan Lichthart?

Jan Lichthart was Dutch.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jan Lichthart

· Wikidata: Q3407716

· DBpedia: Jan Lichthart

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jan Lichthart. https://biography.guide/jan-lichthart/

MLA: "Jan Lichthart." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jan-lichthart/.

Chicago: "Jan Lichthart." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jan-lichthart/.

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