description Paul Revere's Ride Overview
Paul Revere's Ride is a narrative poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, first published in the Atlantic Monthly in 1861. The work dramatizes the midnight journey of American patriot Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, as he rode through Massachusetts to warn colonial militias of the approaching British forces prior to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Though it contains historical inaccuracies, the poem's widespread popularity firmly established Revere as an iconic figure in American folklore.
help Paul Revere's Ride FAQ
Did Paul Revere actually complete the midnight ride as described in Longfellow's poem?
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1861 poem dramatically recounts Revere waiting for signal lanterns, but it historically simplifies the event. Revere was actually captured by a British patrol outside Lexington before he could reach Concord, though he was eventually released.
Who else rode with Paul Revere to warn the colonists?
While the poem famously focuses solely on Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott were also riding that night in April 1775. Prescott was the only one of the three messengers who actually made it all the way to Concord to deliver the warning.
What were the famous signal lanterns hung in the church steeple for?
The poem features the line "one if by land, and two if by sea," referring to the secret signal sent from the steeple of the Old North Church in Boston. This historical signal indicated the route the British troops were taking to cross the Charles River.
What historical event does "Paul Revere's Ride" directly lead up to?
The midnight ride was meant to warn the colonial militias that British regulars were advancing to seize military supplies. This culminated in the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, which officially ignited the American Revolutionary War.
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