Louis-Michel Aury was a French pirate who made a name for himself in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during the early 19th century. Born in 1788 in Paris, Aury began his maritime career as a sailor in the French Navy, serving on ships stationed in French colonies in the Caribbean from 1802-1811.

During this time, Aury became involved in privateering and efforts to overthrow governments in Mexico, Central America, and South America. He supported Spanish colonies in South America's fight for independence. He was eventually commissioned as a commodore in the Navy of Colombia.

In 1816, Aury was appointed as the resident commissioner of Galveston, Texas, and established a privateering base there. However, his next venture to develop a base on Amelia Island, Florida, failed. He ultimately settled on Old Providence and Saint Catherine islands off Nicaragua and Panama.

Aury's life as a pirate and privateer was tumultuous, filled with adventure, danger, and political intrigue. Despite his many challenges, he left a lasting impact on the history of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, and his legacy continues to be remembered today.