James Madison Short Biography
Early Years
He was born at Port
Conway, Virginia, on March 16, 1751, to James and Eleanor Rose Conway Madison,
both of English heritage. James was the eldest of ten children and was raised
on the family’s large plantation in Orange County. His father was prominent in the
community, serving as a leader in the local militia, and as justice of the
peace and a vestryman in the Anglican church. Young Madison was instructed by
private tutors as there were few schools in the region during that time.
Madison enrolled in the College of New Jersey, which would become Princeton
University, and was a voracious reader and a good student. While in college, he
organized a debating club, known as the American Whig Society. He graduated in
only two years, in 1771, spent a year studying to be a minister, and then
continued his studies at home for the next three years. Even as a young man, he
had poor health; his friends described him as feeble and pale, and he probably
suffered from a nervous disorder.
Conway, Virginia, on March 16, 1751, to James and Eleanor Rose Conway Madison,
both of English heritage. James was the eldest of ten children and was raised
on the family’s large plantation in Orange County. His father was prominent in the
community, serving as a leader in the local militia, and as justice of the
peace and a vestryman in the Anglican church. Young Madison was instructed by
private tutors as there were few schools in the region during that time.
Madison enrolled in the College of New Jersey, which would become Princeton
University, and was a voracious reader and a good student. While in college, he
organized a debating club, known as the American Whig Society. He graduated in
only two years, in 1771, spent a year studying to be a minister, and then
continued his studies at home for the next three years. Even as a young man, he
had poor health; his friends described him as feeble and pale, and he probably
suffered from a nervous disorder.
Revolutionary War
Hostilities between
the British colony of America and the English Crown had erupted into open
rebellion in 1775. Madison was not an English loyalist and was made chairman of
the Orange Revolutionary Committee of Safety and wrote its anti-British
resolution. Madison was a small, frail man in poor health and was not able to
enlist in the Continental Army to fight the British; rather, he devoted himself
to recruiting troops and writing propaganda. In 1776, he was elected to the
Virginia constitutional convention where he was appointed to the committee to
prepare a declaration of rights and draft a plan for the state government.
During this time, he met another future president, Thomas Jefferson, who became
his lifelong friend. Madison proposed to the constitutional convention that
there should be a separation of the church from the government of Virginia.
Though his proposal was rejected, it was later incorporated. Madison was
elected to the first Virginia Assembly in the new state government that he had
helped create. He was defeated in a bid for re-election but was appointed a
member of the Governor’s Council in 1777.
the British colony of America and the English Crown had erupted into open
rebellion in 1775. Madison was not an English loyalist and was made chairman of
the Orange Revolutionary Committee of Safety and wrote its anti-British
resolution. Madison was a small, frail man in poor health and was not able to
enlist in the Continental Army to fight the British; rather, he devoted himself
to recruiting troops and writing propaganda. In 1776, he was elected to the
Virginia constitutional convention where he was appointed to the committee to
prepare a declaration of rights and draft a plan for the state government.
During this time, he met another future president, Thomas Jefferson, who became
his lifelong friend. Madison proposed to the constitutional convention that
there should be a separation of the church from the government of Virginia.
Though his proposal was rejected, it was later incorporated. Madison was
elected to the first Virginia Assembly in the new state government that he had
helped create. He was defeated in a bid for re-election but was appointed a
member of the Governor’s Council in 1777.
Building a Nation
As the Revolutionary
War was starting to wind down and it looked as though America would separate
from Great Britain, the next task became to set up a system of governance for
the emerging nation. To help form and govern the new nation, Madison was chosen
to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1783. He was an
active member of the body, introducing amendments giving Congress the power to
enforce its financial requisitions on the states, to levy import duties, and to
divide the interest on the growing national debt among the states in proportion
to their population. Madison realized the new nation would be growing to the
west and sought free navigation of the Mississippi River. He had an
international bent to his politics and wanted America to be involved in the
affairs of European nations. In 1782, he authored the compromise plan whereby
Virginia agreed to the release of a portion of the state’s western territory to
the central government. Madison was offered the position of minister to Spain
but declined; instead, he returned to Virginia in November 1783 where he was
elected to the state assembly the next year. There he led a successful fight in
1785 to enact Jefferson’s bill providing for religious freedom.
War was starting to wind down and it looked as though America would separate
from Great Britain, the next task became to set up a system of governance for
the emerging nation. To help form and govern the new nation, Madison was chosen
to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress from 1780 to 1783. He was an
active member of the body, introducing amendments giving Congress the power to
enforce its financial requisitions on the states, to levy import duties, and to
divide the interest on the growing national debt among the states in proportion
to their population. Madison realized the new nation would be growing to the
west and sought free navigation of the Mississippi River. He had an
international bent to his politics and wanted America to be involved in the
affairs of European nations. In 1782, he authored the compromise plan whereby
Virginia agreed to the release of a portion of the state’s western territory to
the central government. Madison was offered the position of minister to Spain
but declined; instead, he returned to Virginia in November 1783 where he was
elected to the state assembly the next year. There he led a successful fight in
1785 to enact Jefferson’s bill providing for religious freedom.
Constitution and Bill of Rights
 |
| James Madison, father of Constitution |
The first form of
government of the United States was under the Articles of Confederation, which
favored a weak federal government and put more weight on the decentralized
powers of the state. As the nation was growing, the inherent problems with the
Articles of Confederation became more apparent and there were calls for a
change. Madison and Alexander Hamilton were both proponents of revising the
Articles of Confederation or scrapping them and starting fresh with a new
governing document. This led to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,
where meetings were held to lay the groundwork for the change in government.
During the convention, Madison argued for a strong central government and
suggested that Congress be given the power to override state acts. Madison
became an important figure in writing the Constitution, proposing many of the
main ideas, including the Virginia Plan, which called for each state’s
representation in Congress to be based on the population of the state.
government of the United States was under the Articles of Confederation, which
favored a weak federal government and put more weight on the decentralized
powers of the state. As the nation was growing, the inherent problems with the
Articles of Confederation became more apparent and there were calls for a
change. Madison and Alexander Hamilton were both proponents of revising the
Articles of Confederation or scrapping them and starting fresh with a new
governing document. This led to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia,
where meetings were held to lay the groundwork for the change in government.
During the convention, Madison argued for a strong central government and
suggested that Congress be given the power to override state acts. Madison
became an important figure in writing the Constitution, proposing many of the
main ideas, including the Virginia Plan, which called for each state’s
representation in Congress to be based on the population of the state.
After the convention,
the new Constitution needed to be ratified by the individual states before it
could become the law of the land. Though he was not completely pleased with the
final document, he lobbied heavily along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay
for adoption of the Constitution by the states through a series of newspaper
articles that became known as The Federalist Papers. John Jay wrote only
five of the 77 articles, Alexander Hamilton wrote over half, and Madison
completed the balance of them. The Constitution was ratified by the states and
went into effect in 1789, and two months later George Washington was elected
unanimously as the nation’s first president. Madison ran for a seat in the new
Senate and was defeated, but he was elected to the first House of
Representatives where he was active in forming the government.
the new Constitution needed to be ratified by the individual states before it
could become the law of the land. Though he was not completely pleased with the
final document, he lobbied heavily along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay
for adoption of the Constitution by the states through a series of newspaper
articles that became known as The Federalist Papers. John Jay wrote only
five of the 77 articles, Alexander Hamilton wrote over half, and Madison
completed the balance of them. The Constitution was ratified by the states and
went into effect in 1789, and two months later George Washington was elected
unanimously as the nation’s first president. Madison ran for a seat in the new
Senate and was defeated, but he was elected to the first House of
Representatives where he was active in forming the government.
During his term in
Congress, Madison maintained his political relationship with Alexander
Hamilton, the new secretary of the treasury. Madison’s proposals provided for
the establishment of the departments within the executive branch of government.
He also proposed six of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which
become known as the Bill of Rights. As the political parties started to
develop, Hamilton was a Federalist who favored a strong central government,
while Madison and Jefferson became part of the Democratic-Republicans, which
advocated for more power to be in the hands of the individual states.
Congress, Madison maintained his political relationship with Alexander
Hamilton, the new secretary of the treasury. Madison’s proposals provided for
the establishment of the departments within the executive branch of government.
He also proposed six of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which
become known as the Bill of Rights. As the political parties started to
develop, Hamilton was a Federalist who favored a strong central government,
while Madison and Jefferson became part of the Democratic-Republicans, which
advocated for more power to be in the hands of the individual states.
Madison and Hamilton
became at odds with each other over the funding of the national debt left over
from the Revolutionary War. The two came to a compromise by allowing the
national government to assume the state’s debt, which was Hamilton’s plan, with
Madison winning the location of the new seat of government on the Potomac
River. Madison opposed pro-Federalist legislation that would create a United
States bank, increase tariffs, and espouse a foreign policy that was
pro-British.
became at odds with each other over the funding of the national debt left over
from the Revolutionary War. The two came to a compromise by allowing the
national government to assume the state’s debt, which was Hamilton’s plan, with
Madison winning the location of the new seat of government on the Potomac
River. Madison opposed pro-Federalist legislation that would create a United
States bank, increase tariffs, and espouse a foreign policy that was
pro-British.
Tiring of the
political battles, Madison retired from Congress and returned to the family
plantation, Montpelier, in 1797 with his wife Dolley. The couple had met in
Philadelphia in 1794 and were married that same year. Dolley was a widow and
had a son from a previous marriage, whom Madison raised as his own. Madison
helped his aging father run the plantation, where he worked to diversify the
types of crops grown, relying less on tobacco. Though Madison was uncomfortable
with slavery, the plantation workers were mostly slaves.
political battles, Madison retired from Congress and returned to the family
plantation, Montpelier, in 1797 with his wife Dolley. The couple had met in
Philadelphia in 1794 and were married that same year. Dolley was a widow and
had a son from a previous marriage, whom Madison raised as his own. Madison
helped his aging father run the plantation, where he worked to diversify the
types of crops grown, relying less on tobacco. Though Madison was uncomfortable
with slavery, the plantation workers were mostly slaves.
Secretary of State
In the presidential
election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson became the third president and he nominated
James Madison to be the secretary of state. Since Jefferson was a widower,
Dolley Madison often acted as the official hostess at parties and receptions at
the presidential mansion. For eight years, Madison served under Jefferson,
implementing many of Jefferson’s foreign policy initiatives. Madison’s
friendship with Jefferson and his experience put him next in line for the
presidency.
election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson became the third president and he nominated
James Madison to be the secretary of state. Since Jefferson was a widower,
Dolley Madison often acted as the official hostess at parties and receptions at
the presidential mansion. For eight years, Madison served under Jefferson,
implementing many of Jefferson’s foreign policy initiatives. Madison’s
friendship with Jefferson and his experience put him next in line for the
presidency.
President of the United States
In the presidential
election of 1808, Madison defeated the Federalist candidate, Charles Pinckney,
by a wide margin in the electoral college. By the time Madison entered the
presidency, the nation had grown from the original 13 states to 17, had a free
population of about seven million, and a western boundary that stretched to the
Rocky Mountains. As president, Madison tried to follow the course Jefferson had
set in his policies, one of which was to remain neutral in foreign wars.
election of 1808, Madison defeated the Federalist candidate, Charles Pinckney,
by a wide margin in the electoral college. By the time Madison entered the
presidency, the nation had grown from the original 13 states to 17, had a free
population of about seven million, and a western boundary that stretched to the
Rocky Mountains. As president, Madison tried to follow the course Jefferson had
set in his policies, one of which was to remain neutral in foreign wars.
True to his Republican
outlook, Madison advocated a laissez-faire policy, whereby government would
provide little interference in matters of business and finance. He wanted the
nation to grow by emphasizing farming; in an agrarian society, he said, each
person could own his own land and maintain independence.
outlook, Madison advocated a laissez-faire policy, whereby government would
provide little interference in matters of business and finance. He wanted the
nation to grow by emphasizing farming; in an agrarian society, he said, each
person could own his own land and maintain independence.
Still in Jefferson’s
shadow, Madison believed that a high national debt was bad for the country as
it unduly benefited the wealthy elite. In addition to lowering the debt, he
wanted a leaner government and lower taxes. The tightened purse strings
resulted in small and understaffed diplomatic corps, a reduced army with only a
few frontier outposts, and many of the navy battleships in dry dock. From his
home in Virginia, Jefferson agreed with Madison’s approach and stated the debt
reduction was “vital to the destinies of our government.”
shadow, Madison believed that a high national debt was bad for the country as
it unduly benefited the wealthy elite. In addition to lowering the debt, he
wanted a leaner government and lower taxes. The tightened purse strings
resulted in small and understaffed diplomatic corps, a reduced army with only a
few frontier outposts, and many of the navy battleships in dry dock. From his
home in Virginia, Jefferson agreed with Madison’s approach and stated the debt
reduction was “vital to the destinies of our government.”
America’s old master
and adversary, Britain, would bring Mr. Madison the biggest challenge of his
presidency. Since the 1790s, the British, at war with France, had been stopping
and searching American merchant ships looking for sailors who had deserted the
British Royal Navy. During Britain’s lengthy and costly war with France, many
British citizens were forced by their own government to serve in the navy, and
a number of these reluctant conscripts defected to American merchant ships. As
tensions between the United States and Great Britain continued to rise, in the
spring of 1810, Madison asked Congress for increased funding to bolster the
army and navy in preparation for a possible war.
and adversary, Britain, would bring Mr. Madison the biggest challenge of his
presidency. Since the 1790s, the British, at war with France, had been stopping
and searching American merchant ships looking for sailors who had deserted the
British Royal Navy. During Britain’s lengthy and costly war with France, many
British citizens were forced by their own government to serve in the navy, and
a number of these reluctant conscripts defected to American merchant ships. As
tensions between the United States and Great Britain continued to rise, in the
spring of 1810, Madison asked Congress for increased funding to bolster the
army and navy in preparation for a possible war.
Short James Madison Video Biography.
War of 1812
On June 1, 1812,
Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war against Great Britain, even
though the country was not unified and the military was inadequate to fight a
powerful nation. Madison turned out to not be a great war president during what
became known as the War of 1812 or the Second Revolutionary War.
Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war against Great Britain, even
though the country was not unified and the military was inadequate to fight a
powerful nation. Madison turned out to not be a great war president during what
became known as the War of 1812 or the Second Revolutionary War.
Britain was engaged in
the Napoleonic Wars, and Madison and many in Congress believed the United
States could easily capture British held Canada and use it as a bargaining chip
in negations with Britain. Madison faced many obstacles while trying to put the
country on a firm war footing—lack of popular support for the war, a divided
cabinet, obstructionist governors, incompetent generals, and a military that
consisted primarily of poorly trained militia members.
the Napoleonic Wars, and Madison and many in Congress believed the United
States could easily capture British held Canada and use it as a bargaining chip
in negations with Britain. Madison faced many obstacles while trying to put the
country on a firm war footing—lack of popular support for the war, a divided
cabinet, obstructionist governors, incompetent generals, and a military that
consisted primarily of poorly trained militia members.
The war started poorly
for the Americans as a senior general gave up Detroit to a much smaller British
force without firing a shot. The American thrust into Canada ended in defeat at
the Battle of Stoney Creek. The British allied with and armed American Indians
in the Northeast to fight against the Americans.
for the Americans as a senior general gave up Detroit to a much smaller British
force without firing a shot. The American thrust into Canada ended in defeat at
the Battle of Stoney Creek. The British allied with and armed American Indians
in the Northeast to fight against the Americans.
America suffered
humiliation when the British marched on Washington, D.C., burning the Executive
Mansion (the White House), the Capitol building, which was still under
construction, and other public buildings. The president’s wife, Dolley, was
able to rescue some valuables and documents before the British burnt the
Executive Mansion.
humiliation when the British marched on Washington, D.C., burning the Executive
Mansion (the White House), the Capitol building, which was still under
construction, and other public buildings. The president’s wife, Dolley, was
able to rescue some valuables and documents before the British burnt the
Executive Mansion.
The British attacked
Fort McHenry, which guarded the seaway to Baltimore. The intense naval
bombardment of the effort lasted over 24 hours but wasn’t enough to destroy the
fort, and the gallant defense shown by the Americans led Francis Scott Key to
pen a poem that would become the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The final battle of the war occurred in New Orleans and was led by General
Andrew Jackson, with a rag-tag force of regular army, frontiersmen, militia,
Native American allies, and Jean Lafitte’s pirates. The Americans fought
valiantly, soundly defeated the British, and saved the city. News of the
victory in New Orleans reached Washington in February 1815, sending the city
into raucous celebration.
Fort McHenry, which guarded the seaway to Baltimore. The intense naval
bombardment of the effort lasted over 24 hours but wasn’t enough to destroy the
fort, and the gallant defense shown by the Americans led Francis Scott Key to
pen a poem that would become the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The final battle of the war occurred in New Orleans and was led by General
Andrew Jackson, with a rag-tag force of regular army, frontiersmen, militia,
Native American allies, and Jean Lafitte’s pirates. The Americans fought
valiantly, soundly defeated the British, and saved the city. News of the
victory in New Orleans reached Washington in February 1815, sending the city
into raucous celebration.
Britain grew weary of
the war with America as they had little to gain from the continued outlay of
men and material. Delegations from the U.S. and Britain met in Ghent, Belgium,
to negotiate a peace settlement, signed on Christmas Eve, 1814. Due to the slow
communications across the Atlantic, news didn’t reach America until after the
Battle of New Orleans. The Treaty of Ghent stipulated there would be no changes
in territories or reparations, all prisoners of war would be sent home, slaves
taken from the Americans would be sent home, and a commission would be set up
to settle boundary disputes. Though the treaty didn’t address the original
issue of impressment, it was quickly ratified by the Senate.
the war with America as they had little to gain from the continued outlay of
men and material. Delegations from the U.S. and Britain met in Ghent, Belgium,
to negotiate a peace settlement, signed on Christmas Eve, 1814. Due to the slow
communications across the Atlantic, news didn’t reach America until after the
Battle of New Orleans. The Treaty of Ghent stipulated there would be no changes
in territories or reparations, all prisoners of war would be sent home, slaves
taken from the Americans would be sent home, and a commission would be set up
to settle boundary disputes. Though the treaty didn’t address the original
issue of impressment, it was quickly ratified by the Senate.
With the war with
Britain concluded, a wave of nationalism swept through the country, helping to
unify the nation. Before leaving office, President Madison signed acts
providing for the establishment of the Second Bank of the United States and
levying a protective tariff.
Britain concluded, a wave of nationalism swept through the country, helping to
unify the nation. Before leaving office, President Madison signed acts
providing for the establishment of the Second Bank of the United States and
levying a protective tariff.
 |
| James Madison & the road to the war |
Retirement
In March 1817, after
two terms in office, Madison and his wife retired to Montpelier. He spent the
remainder of his days as an elder statesman, giving advice on state and
national issues, and he prepared his notes on the Constitutional Convention.
During his retirement years, the nation was wrestling with the issue of
slavery. In 1826, he succeeded his old mentor, Thomas Jefferson, as rector of
the University of Virginia. As time passed, Madison’s health began to fail and
on June 28, 1836, he died at his home after a lengthy illness. His valet, Paul
Jennings, reported on his last days, “For six months before his death, he was
unable to walk, and spent most of his time reading on a couch.”
two terms in office, Madison and his wife retired to Montpelier. He spent the
remainder of his days as an elder statesman, giving advice on state and
national issues, and he prepared his notes on the Constitutional Convention.
During his retirement years, the nation was wrestling with the issue of
slavery. In 1826, he succeeded his old mentor, Thomas Jefferson, as rector of
the University of Virginia. As time passed, Madison’s health began to fail and
on June 28, 1836, he died at his home after a lengthy illness. His valet, Paul
Jennings, reported on his last days, “For six months before his death, he was
unable to walk, and spent most of his time reading on a couch.”
Madison’s legacy is a
bit mixed. On the one hand, he was one of the founding fathers of America,
helped draft the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and proved to be one of
the great political minds of his age. However, as president, he was an
ineffective leader in the War of 1812 and was not able to obtain enthusiastic
loyalty for either the Congress or the country.
bit mixed. On the one hand, he was one of the founding fathers of America,
helped draft the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and proved to be one of
the great political minds of his age. However, as president, he was an
ineffective leader in the War of 1812 and was not able to obtain enthusiastic
loyalty for either the Congress or the country.
(Source: https://owlcation.com)
Madison's home, Montpelier, in Virginia as it looks
today.
today.
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