Historical Tirade #1: The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

By Tresckow

OK, as children many of us were taught that historical poem, "Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He is featured in movies, comic strips, PBS cartoons, and amateur historical books written by people who think watching The History Channel is equivalent to earning a PhD.

Where, may I ask, is William Dawes mentioned? Dawes also rode out of Boston to warn patriots at Lexington and Concord of the approaching British. I'm sorry Mr. Dawes; your name doesn't fit with the rest of the poem. We'll just write you out of history for the crime of having a last name that doesn't rhyme with "Listen my children and you shall hear…" Paul Revere has a statue. William Dawes has a question in the "Obscure History" column of Jeopardy.

Paul Revere has had it too good for too long. William Dawes is not the Sonny to his Cher, the Teller to his Penn, the Ringo to his rest of the Beatles…. We're onto you Mr. Revere. Your historical shenanigans will eventually come to an end.