Who Was Paul Revere? by Robert Edwards

 Who Was…? biography series for middle grade fascinates with the story of Paul Revere who was a famous American patriot.

Paul Revere (1734-1818) was born in Boston. He was bright and full of energy. His father was a very good silversmith and taught his son the trade. Paul was only nineteen when his father died, and took over the shop.

He married in 1757 and had eight children. When his first wife died, he remarried and had eight more children.

Paul became a very good silversmith. He made whatever his customers wanted, including a silver chain for a pet squirrel or a silver whistle for a child. He even taught himself how to make false teeth.

He was hardworking but he also like the company of friends. After work, he often headed to a tavern where he talked about politics with his friends. He became a member of a few men’s groups. One group opposed taxes imposed by the government in England.

In 1765, the Stamp Act was passed in England, putting stamp requirement on many goods. That got Paul pretty angry. He joined secret group called the Sons of Liberty. Paul designed a medal for all the members. They marched through Boston protesting. It worked. The Stamp Act was over.

Two years later, new taxes were announced on glass, paper, paint, and tea. This put Paul and the other Sons of Liberty into work again. They asked people to stop buying things from England. Letters were sent to other colonies.

This time the king of England didn’t bend. Instead, he sent ships to the harbor of Boston as warning for the Bostonians to behave.

However, an event on March 5, 1770, led to Boston Massacre. Paul made an engraving of the event showing many details. Afterwards, the tax was lifted except a very small tax on tea.

When three ships arrived from England carrying tea, the Sons of Liberty decided that no one would by the tea. They came up with a secret plan to hold a very special tea party. On December 16, 1773, they dumped ten thousand pounds of tea into Boston Harbor.

Afterwards, Paul became the messenger between colonies, delivering news to NYC and Philadelphia about events in Boston. This brought the colonies closer together, uniting against the king of England.

Those events led to the American Revolution on April 19 – ending war in 1781.

Paul was forty-eight when thirteen colonies became the United States.

After the war, Paul opened a foundry making hammers, anvils, stoves, bells and more. Then, he built a copper mill. The Revere Copper Company is still in business today.

He died at eighty-three having more than fifty grandchildren.

This biography demonstrates a man who took actions over just words. He was active in discussions during which decisions were made by many and agreed upon. Then, actions were taken. He was passionate about the cause he took part in, and did it until the country became independent. It wasn’t just the talk. It was the actions that made him the famous patriot.

This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-10, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.

Published by Penguin Workshop in 2011

 

 

 

TRENDING INSPIRATION: It wasn’t just the talk. It was the actions that made him the famous patriot.

 

 

Traits:

·         He took part in discussions about freedom.

·         He took active actions, riding his horse for money hours between Boston and NYC and Philadelphia to deliver messages.

·         He took actions when feeling oppressed by government which felt foreign.

·         He continued to take active actions until colonies became united.

 

 

“Americans will always fight for liberty.” – Paul Revere