Raïs Hamidou

Hamidou ben Ali, known as Raïs Hamidou, or Amidon in American literature, born around 1770 in Algiers, and died on June 17, 1815 near Cape Gata, was an Algerian privateer. He captured up to 200 ships during his career. Hamidou ensured the prosperity of the Deylik of Algiers, and gave it its last glory before the French invasion. His biography is relatively well known because the French archivist Albert Devoulx has found important documents, including a precious register of prizes opened by the authorities of the Deylik in 1765. Songs and legends have also taken hold of this charismatic character.