Episode Details

Paul Revere is remembered for one ride, but his real life was far richer. This deep dive follows a working-class silversmith from Boston's North End who survived his father's death, war service and economic collapse, then took up dentistry and found himself among revolutionary leaders like Dr. Joseph Warren.

We explore his copied Boston Massacre engraving, his spy network at the Green Dragon Tavern, and what really happened on April 18, 1775, including his capture and the riders Longfellow left out. We also cover reverse-engineering a powder mill, identifying Warren's remains by dental wire, the Penobscot disaster and his court-martial, and his transformation into a pioneer of American copper manufacturing.

• How dentistry connected him to the Sons of Liberty
• The Boston Massacre engraving and the Henry Pelham dispute
• The midnight ride, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott and the Longfellow myth
• Forensic dentistry and the Penobscot expedition fiasco
• Bells, cannons, copper and his role in American industry