Francisco Primo de Verdad y Ramos studied in the College of San Ildefonso in Mexico City, graduating as a lawyer.
He was a student of the American and French Revolutions, and of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
His friend and comrade Licenciado Juan Francisco Azcárate y Ledesma later described him as a "true scholar" (sabio).
In 1808, he was a member of the Cabildo (city council) of the ayuntamiento (city government) in the capital of the viceroyalty.
He was a Criollo by virtual of his birth in America, and a prominent member of the Criollo party in government.
Criollos were prominent in the agitation for autonomy or independence from Spain, and this agitation was increasing.
The Cabildo of Mexico City was composed of professional men, Criollos.
It is possible that Primo de Verdad was also a member of one of the secret societies working for the independence of the colony, but that is not known with certainty.