The pirate Nicholas van Hoorn (c. 1635 – buried 24 June 1683, Isla Mujeres) was born in Holland and dies near Vera Cruz, Mexico.

Nikolaas or Klaas is engaged in the Dutch merchant service from about 1655 until 1659, and then buys a vessel with his savings.

With a band of reckless men whom he has enlisted, he becomes a terror to the commerce of the Netherlands.

Later he has several ships in his employment and obtains such notoriety that some governments are willing to employ him against their enemies.