Paul Revere

December 1734 - 10 May 1818

Paul Revere was born in Boston to Paul Revere, Sr. (born Apollos Rivoire) a gold- and silversmith, and Deborah Hitchborn. As a teenager, he trained under his father, eventually assuming responsibility for the family shop. To supplement his income, and support his growing family, Revere broadened his business ventures to include copperplate engraving and dentistry. In the 1760s and 1770s, he was involved with a number of political groups including the Sons of Liberty, and he often used his skills as a craftsman to create propaganda pieces for the patriot cause. Throughout the 1770s, Revere also worked as an express rider for the Massachusetts government, delivering news throughout Massachusetts, as well as to New York and Philadelphia. During the Revolutionary War, Revere printed currency for Massachusetts, and served as a lieutenant colonel of artillery in the Massachusetts militia. In 1779, he left the military and resumed his successful business career, which eventually included an iron foundry in the North End, and a copper-rolling Mill in Canton, Massachusetts.