James Madison, Jr. (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was an American statesman and political theorist. He served as the fourth President of the United States (1809-1817). Most consider him to be the “Father of the Constitution” because he was instrumental in the drafting of the document and was the key champion and author of the Bill of Rights. He served as a politician much of his adult life and lived on an inherited plantation called Montpelier.
After the Constitution was drafted, Madison became one of the leaders in the movement to ratify it. His literary collaboration with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay produced the Federalist Papers that argued for the ratification of the Constitution even though it was a new way of government and was not part of the charter that led to the Federal Convention in 1787. He was a Virginia delegate at the Federal Convention in 1787 where he kept perhaps the most detailed account of the proceedings. He also served as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Ratifying Convention in 1788.
In 1789, Madison became a leader in the new House of Representatives and drafted many laws. He is notable for drafting the first ten amendment to the Constitution that form the Bill of Rights. He also worked closely with President George Washington to organize the new federal government.
In 1791, Madison broke with Hamilton and the Federalist Party. Together with Thomas Jefferson, he founded the Republican Party, also called the Democratic-Republican Party. He and Jefferson co-authored the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions in 1798 to protest the Alien and Sedition Acts passed under the administration of John Adams.
Madison served as Secretary of State under President Jefferson (1801 – 1809). During that time, the nation bought the Louisiana Purchase, effectively doubling the size of the country.
As President (1809 – 1817), Madison presided over a prosperous nation. After the failure of diplomatic protests and a trade embargo against Great Britain, he led the nation into the War of 1812. He saw the war as a response to British encroachments on American honor and rights. He also wanted to end the influence of the British on their Indian allies. Madison found the War of 1812 to be an administrative nightmare and that led him to decide the nation needed a stronger military as well as a national bank.
Note: James Madison played a very large role in the founding of the nation and was the shortest President, standing 5’4″.
Source: Library of Congress and the National Archives
Patriot Parchment 