Who was Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla?

   Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811) was a Mexican priest and revolutionist, born near Guanajuato, educated at the College of San Lorenzo at Valladolid. As a parish priest he attempted to improve the condition of the natives, teaching them to engage in agricultural pursuits, olive growing and the cultivation of vineyards. Under his direction the Indians set up a porcelain factory and interested themselves in the silk industry. All this was frowned upon by the goverment, that had forbidden natives to carry on such activities. Hidalgo was accused of heresy but never brought to trial. At the time of the Napoleonic invasion he was one of a number of Creole intellectuals who planned a revolution of the natives in Mexico. The plot was discovered, whereupon be issued the grito de Dolores, which was the beginning of the War for Independence. Hidalgo had many followers among the natives, the colonial militia and the radical Creoles. At first his army met with success but against his wishes the revolutionists attempted to conquer Mexico City. They met the royalists at Monte de los Cruces and won so costly a victory that they were forced to retreat to Aculco where they were defeated in November 7, 1810. Again at Cal¬deron Bridge in the following January, they met defeat. He was captured and shot.