It is not known when George Booth was born but it is believed that he began a career on a ship called the Pelican around 1695, working as a gunner. Later, he transferred to the Dolphin, again as a gunner.

George Booth was an Englishman, and would go on to a life of piracy in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

In September of 1699 Booth was trapped by the British fleet whilst at St. Mary’s Island. Booth and the rest of his pirate gang were offered a pardon in return for their surrender. Some took this offer up but the remainder, including Booth,  fled to nearby Madagascar. Their ship, the Dolphin, was burned so as not to let the British get their hands on her.

Booth led the remaining pirates in an attack on a French trading ship whilst as Madagascar and after capturing the vessel he became captain. A few years later he met up with a John Bowen and they joined forces.

In April of 1704 the pair captured the Speaker, a 450 tonne slave ship which was armed with 50 cannons. Again, Booth became captain and took the ship to Zanzibar where he arrived in 1710. As Booth and his men went ashore they came under attack from Arab troops. During the conflict George Booth was killed. John Bowen was subsequently voted to replace him as captain.

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