Lived

March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836

Home State

Virginia

Party

Democratic-Republican

Vice President

George Clinton; Elbridge Gerry

James Madison, the 'Father of the Constitution,' was the principal architect of the Virginia Plan, a co-author of The Federalist Papers, and the drafter of the Bill of Rights. As the fourth President he led the nation through the War of 1812, which ended with the Treaty of Ghent and confirmed American sovereignty. He chartered the Second Bank of the United States and defended religious liberty in his Virginia Report. His presidency was tested by the British burning of Washington in 1814, yet the Constitution and the republic survived the first great test of war. Virginia legislator, delegate to the Continental Congress, chief architect of the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention, co-author of The Federalist Papers, drafter of the Bill of Rights, and Jefferson's Secretary of State.

College of New Jersey (now Princeton), 1771.

Led the country through the War of 1812; the Treaty of Ghent restored the status quo ante and confirmed American sovereignty. Chartered the Second Bank of the United States. His Virginia Report and defense of religious liberty shaped constitutional interpretation for generations. Signed the act chartering the Second Bank of the United States (1816) and the Tariff of 1816.

The burning of Washington in 1814 exposed the young government's military weakness. The war itself was declared on divided national support. He remained a slaveholder throughout his life.