Hidalgo y Costilla, Miguel (1753–1811)

Catholic priest, known as ‘the Father of Mexican Independence’. He led a violent social protest in 1810 against Spanish rule in which his forces swelled to 100,000. During the unrest the Indian population threatened Creoles as well as Spaniards, provoking a counter-revolution by the forces of law and order. Hidalgo attempted to form a separatist government but failed, losing the key battle of Calderón in 1811. He was captured and shot by Creole-Spanish forces.