Mexican soldier and poet, born in the province of Guerrero, of pure Aztec blood. He studied law and entered politics, allying himself with the extreme radical party. He fought against the French upon their invasion of Mexico and during the rule of the emperor Maximilian, reaching the rank of colonel. Retiring from active military life at the close of the war, he became a member of the constitutional congress of 1861. He was a remarkable linguist, had no equal as an orator in Mexico, and was a graceful writer of prose and verse, his novel Clemencia being well known. He died in Italy in February, 1893.
