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. On his maternal side, he was of Basque ancestry. His most recent identifiable Spanish ancestor was his maternal great-grandfather, who was from Durango, Biscay. On his paternal side, he descended from criollo families native to Tejupilco. Hidalgo's father was an hacienda manager in Valladolid, Michoacán. Eight days after his birth, Hidalgo was baptized into the Catholic faith in the parish church of Cuitzeo de los Naranjos. Hidalgo's parents had three other sons; José Joaquín, Manuel Mariano, and José María, before their mother died when Hidalgo was nine years old. A half-brother named Mariano was born later. At age twelve Hidalgo was sent to Valladolid to study at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier with the Jesuits, along with his brothers. When the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico in 1767, he entered the Colegio de San Nicolás, where he studied for the priesthood. He completed his preparatory education in 1770. After this, he went to the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico in Mexico City for further study, earning his degree in philosophy and theology in 1773. His education for the priesthood was traditional, with subjects in Latin, rhetoric and logic. Like many priests in Mexico, he studied indigenous languages, such as Nahuatl, Otomi, and Purépecha. He also studied Italian and French. Hidalgo was ordained as a priest in 1778. From 1779 to 1792, he dedicated himself to teaching at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo in Valladolid. He was a professor of Latin grammar and arts, as well as a theology professor. Beginning in 1787, he was named treasurer, vice-rector and secretary, becoming dean of the school in 1790. As rector, Hidalgo continued studying the liberal ideas that were coming from France and other parts of Europe. Authorities ousted him in 1792 for revising traditional teaching methods there, but also for 'irregular handling of some funds.' The Church sent him to work at the parishes of Colima and San Felipe Torres Mochas until he became the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, succeeding his brother José Joaquín a few weeks after his death on 19 September 1802. In 1803, aged 50, Hidalgo arrived in Dolores. After Hidalgo settled in Dolores, he turned over most of the clerical duties to one of

Reader's Guide

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a Mexican Catholic priest and leader of the Mexican War of Independence, known as the Father of the Nation. He was born on 8 May 1753 and executed on 30 July 1811. He studied at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier and Colegio de San Nicolás, earning degrees in philosophy and theology from the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. He taught at the Colegio de San Nicolás Obispo and became its dean in 1790, but was ousted in 1792 for revising teaching methods and irregular handling of some funds. He served as parish priest in Colima, San Felipe Torres Mochas, and Dolores. Influenced by Enlightenment ideas, he led the Cry of Dolores on 16 September 1810, sparking the Mexican War of Independence. He gathered an army of nearly 90,000 irregulars but was defeated at the Battle of Calderón Bridge, captured, and executed.

Did You Know?

• Hidalgo studied indigenous languages including Nahuatl, Otomi, and Purépecha.
• He was influenced by Enlightenment ideas, which contributed to his ouster from the Colegio de San Nicolás in 1792.
• He tried to help the poor by showing them how to grow olives and grapes, but colonial authorities discouraged or prohibited these crops.
• His army of nearly 90,000 irregulars was defeated at the Battle of Calderón Bridge by well-trained Spanish troops.