Who was Hiram Abiff?

In Masonic teachings Hiram Abiff is the architect of King Solomon's Temple and his story is one of faithfulness and death before dishonour. But more than that, Hiram Abiff (or Adoniram as he is known in some texts) is the template of excellence in Masonry and appears throughout the centuries in many Masonic degrees in various guises, lessons and references. A figure of virtue, justice, skill and honour, if Freemasonry has a hero that hero is Hiram Abiff.