Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Lore & Background

Hidalgo was the second-born child of Cristóbal Hidalgo y Costilla Espinoza de los Monteros and Ana María Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor, both criollos. He was baptized eight days after his birth. His father managed an hacienda in Valladolid, Michoacán. Hidalgo studied at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier with the Jesuits and later at the Colegio de San Nicolás, where he prepared for the priesthood. He earned degrees in philosophy and theology from the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. He studied indigenous languages and also Italian and French, which allowed him to read Enlightenment works forbidden by the Church. He was ordained in 1778 and taught at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo, becoming its dean in 1790. He was ousted in 1792 for revising teaching methods and irregular handling of funds. He then served in parishes in Colima and San Felipe Torres Mochas before becoming parish priest in Dolores in 1802.

Reader's Guide

Hidalgo's significance lies in his role as the initiator of the Mexican War of Independence. Influenced by Enlightenment ideas, he challenged traditional political and religious authority. As parish priest in Dolores, he promoted economic activities to help the poor, such as growing olives and grapes, though colonial authorities discouraged these crops. On 16 September 1810, he gave the Cry of Dolores, calling for revolt against the peninsulares. He gathered an army of nearly 90,000 irregulars and won initial victories, but his poorly trained and armed troops were defeated at the Battle of Calderón Bridge. He fled north, was betrayed, captured, and executed. Despite his defeat, his actions sparked the independence movement, and he is remembered as the Father of the Nation.

Did You Know?

• Hidalgo was nicknamed 'El Zorro' ('The Fox') for his cleverness at school.
• He studied French to read Enlightenment works that were forbidden by the Catholic Church in Mexico.
• He fathered children out of wedlock with several women, including Manuela Ramos Pichardo and María Manuela Herrera.
• He was brought before the Court of the Inquisition for his actions but was not found guilty.