Sybil Ludington, the Female Paul Revere: The Making of a Revolutionary War Heroine

On the night of 26 April 1777, Sybil Ludington rode forty miles through the countryside to muster local militia against a British march on the military depot at Danbury, Connecticut, about fifteen miles to the southeast. The story of her ride has attained a legendary status. As a story connected to the American Revolution, Sybil's ride embraces the mythical meanings and values expressed in the country's founding, the author argues. As an individual, she represents Americans' persistent need to find and create heroes who embody prevalent attitudes and beliefs. In this article, the author explores how Sybil was transformed into an American heroine, how her ride came to be considered a consequential part of the nation's foundational moment, and how her significance has been by turns heralded and challenged. Examining the story of Sybil, this article contends, reveals the various ways in which Americans of many stripes, in attempting to connect with the nation's past, can create a hero who advances their cause in response to contemporary political, social, and economic realities.