James Madison Jr. was an American statesman, diplomat, expansionist, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the United States Bill of Rights. He co-wrote The Federalist Papers, co-founded the Democratic-Republican Party, and served as the fifth United States Secretary of State from 1801 to 1809. Born into a prominent Virginia planter family, Madison served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. He became dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation and helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution to supplant the Articles of Confederation.
| Born: | March 16, 1751, Port Conway, Virginia Colony, British America |
| Died: | June 28, 1836, Montpelier, Virginia, U.S. |
| Cause of death: | Congestive heart failure |
| Resting place: | Montpelier, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party: | Democratic-Republican |
| Parents: | James Madison Sr, Nelly Madison |
| Education: | College of New Jersey, (renamed Princeton) |
| Vice President: | George Clinton (1809–12), None (1812–1813), Elbridge Gerry (1813–14), None (1814–1817) |
| Preceded by: | Thomas Jefferson |
| Succeeded by: | James Monroe |
About James Madison
The Father of the Constitution and fourth President of the United States who notably authored the United States Bill of Rights.
James Madison Before Fame
He chose to attend the College of New Jersey, which would become Princeton University, instead of the popular institution among Virginians of his day, the College of William & Mary, mainly because of the climate in which the school was located.
Achievement of James Madison
He wrote the 85 Federalist Papers, which were essays that promoted the ratification of the United States Constitution, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.
James Madison Family Life
His father, James Madison Sr., was a wealthy tobacco planter who owned a plantation, Mt. Pleasant. In 1794, he married Dolley Madison and adopted her son John Payne Todd.
Associations of James Madison
He was the U.S. Secretary of State under President Thomas Jefferson.
Information related to James Madison
- James Madison Category
- Irving Newton Brant , Madison's leading biographer.
- Expansionism - In expansionism, governments and states expand their territory, power, wealth or influence through economic growth, soft power, military empire-building or colonialism.
- Republicanism - Republicanism is a political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic. Historically, it ranges from the rule of a representative minority or oligarchy to popular sovereignty.
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