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Portrait of James Madison

US Presidents · 19th century

James Madison

1751–1836 · American

Democratic-Republican

In office: 1809–1817

James Madison, the 4th president, is called the "Father of the Constitution" for his role at the 1787 Convention; he co-wrote The Federalist Papers and drafted the Bill of Rights. His presidency was dominated by the War of 1812 against Britain, during which British troops burned Washington in 1814.

How to spot them

  • ▸'Father of the Constitution'; drafted the Bill of Rights
  • ▸Co-author of The Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay
  • ▸'Mr. Madison's War' (the War of 1812); the burning of Washington (1814)
  • ▸Shortest president (about 5 ft 4 in); wife Dolley; estate at Montpelier, Virginia

In office

Declaration of war on Britain in June 1812 (1812)

First declaration of war by the US Congress, over impressment of sailors and trade restrictions

The burning of Washington, D.C. by British troops (1814)

The White House and Capitol were set on fire; the president and First Lady fled the city

The Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Ended the War of 1812, restoring pre-war borders; the Battle of New Orleans was fought before news arrived

Charter of the Second Bank of the United States (1816)

Reversed his earlier opposition to a national bank after wartime financial chaos

Defence of Fort McHenry, inspiring 'The Star-Spangled Banner' (1814)

Francis Scott Key wrote the poem after watching the British bombardment of Baltimore

Key ideas

  • Federalist No. 10 argued that a large republic best controls the dangers of faction
  • Checks and balances: 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition' (Federalist No. 51)

Quick-fire facts

  • •Born at Port Conway, Virginia; died at Montpelier in 1836, the last surviving signer of the Constitution
  • •As Secretary of State he was the defendant in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
  • •Dolley Madison is credited with saving a full-length portrait of George Washington when the British burned the White House
  • •Both of his vice presidents, George Clinton and Elbridge Gerry, died in office
  • •Co-founded the Democratic-Republican Party with Thomas Jefferson
  • •The Hartford Convention (1814–15) of New England Federalists opposed his war

Drill it — 7 cards

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Sources