Author, historian and film maker Kevin Duffus will sign his new book The Last Days of Blackbeard the Pirate Friday July 18th at the Museum Store at Roanoke Island Festival Park from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  Duffus has spent years researching the infamous pirate and has examined records in England, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina to piece together clues about Blackbeard.  How did he go from a man in command of 4 sailing ships and 400 men, to a man who led one ship with a crew of 20?

Blackbeard was killed off Ocracoke Inlet in 1718.  Learn about his final days, the trial of his shipmates, and put to rest some of the rumors that have been perpetuated for years about this notorious pirate, and discover some new facts too!