Hiram Abif 

In the Masonic Legend he was the main architect of King Solomon's Temple who was killed for refusing to give up the secrets of the three Grand Masters.  The three Grand Masters were King Solomon, Hiram the King of Tyre and Hiram Abif, the Widows son.  Another use of the number three. 

He was one of the three Grand Masters who oversaw the building of King Solomon's Temple.  He had working under him 3300 Masters and a couple hundred thousand other workers.

There exists a story that the death of Hiram Abif was actually planned and arranged for by King Solomon after he became aware that the Queen of Sheba desired Hiram Abif.  It is said that Hiram Abif and the Queen planned to depart Jerusalem at different times and meet again in Arabia.  This is not considered to be true by Freemasons, but who knows.  King Solomon was greedy with women and had a good sized harem.  Perhaps the Queen of Sheba was what we would now call a real fox and King Solomon wanted no competition.  See "The Story of Freemasonry" by Sidley, p10-11.

It is said in the Masonic Legend that Hiram Abif was killed by the three ruffians. 

Hiram Abif is not mentioned by name in the Holy Bible.  This fact gives the Anti-Mason something to talk about.

Some Anti-masons, who call themselves Christians, say that the Masonic Legend glorifies the resurrection a man other the Jesus Christ.  They seen to be selecting only part of the Legend in an attempt to prove that Freemasons are bad.  In the Legend Hiram Abif is raised out of the grave so that he can be given a more proper burial.  He is not resurrected from the dead as the Anti-masons claim.  Basically the Anti-masons are telling lies by omitting the rest of the Legend.  At least in America they still have the right to freedom of speech to speak out against good.  Many Freemasons, and others, have died fighting for the rights of those who hate good to criticize others who do good works.  There is no law in America that forbids stupidity.  Could hatred of Freemasonry be considered a hate crime, or is that reserved only for those who are Anti-Semitic or against some other protected minority? Perhaps we should look into this matter and get it considered to be a crime.  (Just kidding because we should not really care what the ignorant people think.

Was Hiram Abif a real person?

Hiram Abif (The widow's son)

Hiram Abif, at least according to the Masonic Ritual of the Third Degree was the head architect of King Solomon's Temple who was murdered rather than give up the secrets entrusted to him.  Most Masons consider the story to be a legend, or perhaps a parable.

Did he really exist? Probably nobody is really sure.  He is not mentioned by name in the Holy Bible, but that in and of itself does not really mean that he did not exist.

Additional information about Hiram Abif.

Hiram Abif, Who is (From anti-Masonic site Ephesians 5:11)