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Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was born on 

May 8, 1753 in Guanajuato, Mexico.   He 

studied theology in what is now Morelia.  

Throughout his schooling, he was under the 

strong influence of the Jesuit Order.

People called him "The Fox" because they 

considered him sly and crafty.

After graduating in 1782, Hidalgo became a 

Roman Catholic priest and a professor at San 

Nicolás Obispo, where he wrote two treatises 

concerning theology.

After being assigned to fulfill his priestly duties 

in San Felipe Torres Mochas, his parishioners 

began to complain that Hidalgo's activities and 

thoughts were too radical.   He was accused of 

womanizing, gambling, and public heresy, and 

received complaints about continual 

celebrations that were referred to as "Little 

France".   People claimed they had heard him 

deny the existence of hell, lampoon Santa 

Teresa, and argue that "fornication is not a 

sin".   He even went so far as to read banned 

books.   Despite the commotion, Hidalgo 

remained untouched by the authorities.

Hidalgo disliked the mundane aspects of 

priesthood, spent money lavishly, and was 

often late to repay his loans.   He did enjoy 

preaching and the tasks of paternal 

humanitarianism.

Since he was a part of a group of intellectual 

priests, he had access to many different types 

of European literature.   He enjoyed the works 

of early critics of monarchy and absolutism.  

Hidalgo believed political sovereignty resided 

in the people, not the king, and supported the 

implication that Mexican-born Spaniards — 

criollos or Creoles — were the sovereigns of 

Mexico.

Hidalgo and those in agreement with his ideas 

began to conspire against the Spanish crown.  

Because the Creole population was denied 

access to privileged government positions, 

they hoped to free the colonies from Spain and 

assume those positions.   In 1804, the Spanish 

government passed a law, the Consolidación 

de Vales Reales, in an attempt to raise royal 

revenues.   This nearly ruined Hidalgo's family 

fortune.

In September of 1810, a member of the 

anticrown conspiracy betrayed the others by 

informing royal officials of the plot to rebel.   In 

attempt to create an excuse, Hidalgo claimed 

that the rebellion was for all Mexicans, not just 

for Creoles.

On September 16, 1810, Hidalgo proclaimed 

his authority in the name of the Mexican 

Nation.   He rang the church bell to call the 

parishioners.   He cried the famous "Grito de 

Dolores" as he took an image of the virgin on 

canvas and placed it on a stick to lead the 

rebellion.

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