Jean Lafitte was a smuggler and privateer who operated with his brother Pierre in the Caribbean at the outset of the 19th century. Captured by Americans, he agreed to assist Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Afterwards he became a paid agent of Spain and moved to Galveston. He is believed to have died around 1823 trying to capture Spanish vessels.
The men spelled their name "Laffite," but American spelling has standardized on "Lafitte."