James Madison
| James Madison | |
|---|---|
| File:James Madison Presidential Portrait.jpg | |
| Order | 4th President of the United States |
| In office | March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817 |
| Vice President | George Clinton (1809–1812) Elbridge Gerry (1813–1814; died in office) |
| Preceded by | Thomas Jefferson |
| Succeeded by | James Monroe |
| Born | March 16, 1751 Port Conway, Virginia, United States |
| Political Party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Dolley Madison (m. 1794–1836) |
| Children | None (step-son John Payne Todd) |
| Profession | Political theorist, statesman, planter |
| Alma mater | College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) |
| Signature | File:James Madison Signature.svg |
James Madison Jr. (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was the 4th president of the United States (1809–1817), principal architect of the U.S. Constitution, and driving force behind the Bill of Rights. A close ally of Thomas Jefferson, he helped found the Democratic-Republican Party and later led the nation through the War of 1812.
Early Life and Education
Born in Port Conway, Virginia, and raised at the family estate Montpelier, Madison studied at the College of New Jersey (Princeton), where he immersed himself in classical languages, history, and political philosophy. Returning to Virginia, he became active in revolutionary politics and constitutional reform.
Architect of the Constitution and Bill of Rights
At the Philadelphia Convention (1787), Madison played a central role, drafting the Virginia Plan and arguing for a stronger federal government. With Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, he co-authored The Federalist Papers. In the First Congress, Madison introduced the amendments that became the Bill of Rights (1791).
Secretary of State (1801–1809)
Serving under President Jefferson, Madison managed diplomacy during a turbulent era, including fallout from the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and European wars. He supported commercial restrictions like the Embargo Act and its successors in response to British and French interference with American trade.
Presidency (1809–1817)
Madison’s two terms were dominated by maritime disputes and frontier tensions that culminated in the War of 1812 against Britain. Key points:
- Causes of war: British impressment of U.S. sailors, interference with neutral trade, and British support for Native resistance in the Northwest.
- Conflict and crisis: Early U.S. setbacks gave way to notable victories (e.g., Lake Erie, New Orleans). In 1814, British forces burned Washington, D.C., including the White House and Capitol; First Lady Dolley Madison became famed for rescuing valuable artifacts.
- Peace and aftermath: The Treaty of Ghent (1814) ended hostilities; a surge of postwar nationalism followed. Madison supported key nation-building measures, including the Second Bank of the United States (1816) and the Tariff of 1816, though he vetoed the Bonus Bill on constitutional grounds regarding internal improvements.
Later Life and Legacy
Retiring to Montpelier, Madison advised younger statesmen, helped found the University of Virginia with Jefferson, and corresponded widely on constitutional matters. Remembered as the “Father of the Constitution,” he balanced commitments to federal power with protections for individual rights, leaving a lasting imprint on American governance.