HIDALGO Y COSTILLA, MIGUEL Mexi can patriot, was born on May 8, 1753, on a farm at Corrale j os, near Guanajuato. He was educated at Valladolid in Mexico, and was ordained priest in 1779. Until 1809 he was known only as a man of pious life who exerted himself to introduce various forms of industry among his parishioners at Dolores. But Napoleon's invasion of Spain in 18o8 caused a widespread commotion. The colonists were indisposed to accept a French ruler and showed great zeal in proclaiming Ferdinand VII. as king. The societies they formed for their professedly loyal purpose were regarded, however, by the Spanish authorities with suspicion as being de signed to prepare the independence of Mexico. Hidalgo and sev eral of his friends, among whom was Miguel Dominguez, mayor of Queretaro, engaged in preparations which the authorities consid ered treasonable. Dominguez was arrested, but Hidalgo was warned in time. He collected some hundred of his parishioners, and on Sept. 16, 181o, they seized the prison at Dolores. This action began what was in fact a revolt against the Spanish and Creole elements of the population. At first he met with some suc cess and moved on the city of Mexico. But here the Spaniards and Creoles were concentrated. Hidalgo lost heart and retreated. Many of his followers deserted, and at Aculco he was attacked on Nov. 7, 181o, and routed. He succeeded in collecting a mob esti mated at ioo,000 about Guadalajara. With this ill-armed and un disciplined crowd he took up a position on the bridge of Calderon on the river Santiago. On Jan. 17, 181I, he was completely beaten by a small force of Spanish soldiers. Hidalgo and the other leaders were betrayed to the Spaniards. Hidalgo was first degraded from the priesthood and then shot as a rebel on July 31, or Aug. 1, 181I.