The significant figure known for leading the charge against the British in Massachusetts was Paul Revere. He is best known for his midnight ride on April 18, 1775, during which he warned the colonial militias of the approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. Revere's efforts were crucial in mobilizing the colonial forces against British oppression, contributing to the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. His legacy is commemorated in literature and popular culture, symbolizing patriotism and the call to action in the fight for American independence.