From a land-owning family, Herrera studied at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, where he earned a law degreeDionisio de Herrera: 1783-1850 A centennial Tribute by Rafael Heliodoro Valle, The Hispanic American Historical Review, Nov. 1950 and came in contact with the liberal ideas of the French Revolution. He was a tutor of his nephew, General Morazán.
