Paul Revere biography

An iconic figure amongst US citizens because of his valued contributions to the society, this Paul Revere biography tells of his life and position as a patriot during the American Revolution.

Born in the December of 1734, the 18th century Boston-born Revere inherited his father's silversmith business - his initial career, although he briefly fought in the Seven Years war as nothing more than a young boy. He is also said to have been a committed Freemason.

At the same time as running his silver business, he was becoming increasingly involved with the Sons of Liberty: a group of American's pushing for independence. His interest in politics led to him creating many inspired engravings about the topic - something that has become a key point of interest in the Paul Revere biography.

Married to Sarah Orne - who died in 1773 after bearing him six surviving children - Paul remarried to a wife with whom he had an additional five surviving children: Rachel Walker. It was in the same year as his first wife's death that he joined the Boston Committee of Public Safety, for whom he played the role of messenger through carrying news from New York to Philadelphia with reference to the political cracks that were widening in the country.

The most significant event in the Paul Revere biography unfolded on the night of April 18th, 1775. It was this moment that has allowed him to be categorised as a popular folk hero of America in today's world.

In what is now called 'The Midnight Ride', Paul was assigned the task of crossing the country on horseback to Lexington, where he later informed the American people that the British army were approaching dangerously towards Boston.

Setting off at approximately 11pm, he arrived in time to tell Samuel Adams and John Hancock (two of the revolutionary leaders) that they needed to flee - and fast if they wanted to escape with their lives still intact.

His message delivered efficiently and correctly, the troops were able to prepare in enough time for the Battle of Lexington - a fight that many now view as the catalyst that instigated the revolution and substantially supported the American bid for independence.

Another of the many achievements that enters the Paul Revere biography was his courage and skill being recognised in a famous poem - even if this was released after his death in 1818 as an 83 year old man with a lot to be proud of. Henry Longfellow's 'Paul Revere's Ride' tells of how he successfully inspired one of the most important events in American history.

Revere's contributions to the building of a powder mill that supplied the armed in battle are also remembered, as are his anti-English engravings. His talent for using silver and making engravings that he later used for paper prints to give to the citizens of his native Boston are recognised and passed down through generations of American's to this very day. He was a national hero in every sense of the word.

Resources

• Paul Revere biography
• The poem about his ride by WH Longfellow