President 4 of 47

James Madison

1809–1817 · Democratic-Republican · Virginia

He helped write the Constitution, then had to defend it in a war.

Lived: 1751–1836
Vice president: George Clinton; Elbridge Gerry
Nickname: Father of the Constitution
Home state: Virginia

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
Federalist No. 51, 1788

The story

James Madison was the fourth president of the United States. He helped write the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments. It lists freedoms the government must respect, including speech, religion, and trial by jury.

As president he led the country through the War of 1812 with Britain. That war is sometimes called America’s second war of independence. In 1814 British troops burned the White House and the Capitol.

First Lady Dolley Madison saved a famous portrait of George Washington as the British approached. The young republic stood up to Britain again and survived.

Why it matters

The rules of American government — including your rights — have Madison’s fingerprints on them.

Know this for the quiz

The questions come from this page — the story, these facts, the quote, and the labels up top.

Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” after watching the flag still fly over Fort McHenry. It later became the national anthem.
In Federalist No. 51 Madison wrote, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Because people are not angels, power must be split and checked.
The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 in December 1814. The borders stayed much as they had been before the war.
The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the peace treaty was signed, because news had not yet crossed the ocean. Andrew Jackson’s victory became a national legend.
Madison’s notes from the Constitutional Convention of 1787 are a treasure for historians. They still explain how the government was built.
He designed the Constitution so power is split: Congress writes laws, the president executes them, and courts interpret them. No branch becomes a king.
His Virginia home was called Montpelier, in Orange County. He retired there after two terms.
Some Americans wanted written guarantees before they fully trusted the new government. Madison became the Bill of Rights’ champion in Congress.

Fun fact

He was the shortest president, about 5 feet 4 inches, and quiet in a crowd. His ideas about government were huge.

Check for understanding

20 questions from the lesson above. Misses come with a short explanation — then the lesson is yours.

Question 1 of 20

0 correct

The story

Why it matters

Check for understanding

James Madison was which numbered president?