Paul Revere was an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and Patriot in the American Revolution. Paul Revere (1 January 1735 – 10 May 1818) was a Patriot in the American Revolution, silversmith, engraver, and early industrialist. He is best known for his midnight ride to warn colonial militiamen in April 1775 of the approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington