Young Delgado was sent to Valladolid to study, but, being out of health, returned home. Some time afterward he entered a Dominican convent at Salamanca, where he studied arts and theology, and, on being ordained priest, went at once to Ocana with Father Juan Hurtado, where they founded a convent and College, which is still a school for Spanish missionaries.

Father Betanzos took him to New Spain in 1526, and Delgado was soon appointed prior of the Dominican convent in the City of Mexico, and provincial of his order in 1538. He was the first master of novices and preacher general in that province, and took much interest in the conversion and instruction of the Indians, whose language he learned in order to be able to preach and teach among them.

He was the best friend and assistant of Father Bartolomé de las Casas, the great protector of the Indians, and gave him much valuable information for his "Historia de Indias" and other writings. Charles V, having been informed by Las Casas about the learning and virtues of Delgado, appointed him bishop of Chareas, Peru; but he declined the appointment, preferring to continue his work in Mexico, where he remained for the rest of his life, devoting himself entirely to literary and scientific teaching and to charity. His remains were buried in the chapter hall of Santo Domingo, Mexico.

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM

DELGADO, Pedro (delgah'do), Spanish missionary, born in Burgos, Old Castile, in 1487 ; died in the City of Mexico in 1552. His parents belonged to the highest Castilian nobility, and had great influence at the court of Queen Isabella. Young Delgado was sent to Valladolid to study, but, being out of health, returned home. Some time afterward he entered a Dominican convent at Salamanca, where he studied arts and theology, and, on being ordained priest, went at once to Ocana with Father Juan Hurtado, where they founded a convent and College, which is still a school for Spanish missionaries. Father Betanzos took him to New Spain in 1526, and Delgado was soon appointed prior of the Dominican convent in the City of Mexico, and provincial of his order in 1538. He was the first master of novices and preaehergeneral in that province, and took much interest in the conversion and instruction of the Indians, whose language he learned in order to be able to preach and teach among them. He was the best friend and assistant of Father Bartolom6 de las Casas, the great protector of the Indians, and gave him much valuable information for his " Historia de Indias" and other writings. Charles V., haying been informed by Las Casas about the learning and virtues of Delgado, appointed him bishop of Chareas, Peru; but he declined the appointment, preferring to continue his work in Mexico, where he remained for the rest of his life, devoting himself entirely to literary and scientific teaching and to charity. His remains were buried in the chapterhall of Santo Domingo, Mexico.