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===Historical criticisms and inaccuracies===
Many [[twentieth century]] historians have criticized that Longfellow's poem overstates the role of Revere in the night's events, often citing the ride of [[Israel Bissell]], who traveled 345 miles compared to Revere's nineteen.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dwroth.com/bissell.htm | author=Chapman, Dorothy W. | title = Israel Bissell | accessdate = 3 May | accessyear = 2006}} </ref> There was also a young woman [[Sibyl Ludington]] who made a similar ride of 40 miles from Danbury, Connecticut in 1777, who should have been given a few lines in Longfellow's poem.
However, in response to this argument, other critics reply that Longfellow's purpose was not historic accuracy, but instead to create an American legend. Of the various riders that night, Revere seemed more marketable for this purpose than Dawes, Prescott, or Bissell. Dawes got lost in the dark. Prescott died in prison two years later. But Revere survived the war and did complete the first part of his mission to warn Adams and Hancock. So Longfellow chose Revere to be the hero in his poem.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002274408 | author=Richmond, Ray | title = Assume the Position With Mr. Wuhl | year=2006 | accessdate = 3 May | accessyear = 2006}} </ref>
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