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The 10 Best Books on President James Madison

Essential books on james madison.

There are countless books on James Madison, and it comes with good reason, beyond being America’s fourth President (1809-1817), he made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives,” Madison contended . “A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both”

Reading clearly played a profound role in molding James Madison as a person, and furthermore, this favorite educational activity of his must have had something to do with the spirited – and liberating for that matter – approach he took to life.

Therefore, in order to get to the bottom of what inspired one of America’s founding fathers to the height of societal contribution, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best books on James Madison.

James Madison: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney

James Madison was a true genius of the early republic, the leader who did more than any other to create the nation we know today. This more recent biography published in 2015 tells his story.

Outwardly reserved, Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy – eloquently presented in the Federalist Papers – was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway.

As secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson, he managed the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the United States. As president, Madison led the country in its first war under the Constitution, the War of 1812. Without precedent to guide him, he would demonstrate that a republic could defend its honor and independence while remaining true to its young constitution.

James Madison and the Making of America by Kevin R. C. Gutzman

Instead of an idealized portrait of Madison, Gutzman treats readers to the flesh-and-blood story of a man who often performed his founding deeds in spite of himself: Madison’s fame rests on his participation in the writing of  The Federalist Papers  and his role in drafting the Bill of Rights and Constitution. Today, his contribution to those documents is largely misunderstood. He thought that the Bill of Rights was unnecessary and insisted that it not be included in the Constitution, a document he found entirely inadequate and predicted would soon fail.

In so many ways, the contradictions both in Madison’s thinking and in the way he governed foreshadowed the conflicted state of our Union now. His greatest legacy – the disestablishment of Virginia’s state church and adoption of the libertarian Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom – is often omitted from discussion of his career. Yet, understanding the way in which Madison saw the relationship between the church and state is key to understanding the real man.

The Last of the Fathers by Drew R. McCoy

James Madison survived longer than any other member of the most remarkable generation of political leaders in American history. Born in the middle of the eighteenth century as a subject of King George II, the Father of the United States Constitution lived until 1836, when he died a citizen of Andrew Jackson’s republic. For over forty years he played a pivotal role in the creation and defense of a new political order.

He lived long enough to see even that Revolutionary world transformed, and the system of government he had nurtured threatened by the disruptive forces of a new era that would ultimately lead to civil war. In recounting the experience of Madison and several of his legatees who witnessed the violent test of whether his republic could endure, McCoy dramatizes the actual working out in human lives of critical cultural and political issues.

Becoming Madison by Michael Signer

This gem among books on James Madison takes a fresh look at the life of our fourth president before he turned thirty-six, the years in which he did his most enduring work: battling with Patrick Henry – the most charismatic politician in revolutionary America, whose political philosophy and ruthless tactics eerily foreshadowed those of today’s Tea Party – over religious freedom; becoming the intellectual godfather of the Constitution; and providing a crucial role at Virginia’s convention to ratify the Constitution in 1788, when the nation’s future hung in the balance.

Signer’s young James Madison is a role model for the leaders so badly needed today: a man who overcame daunting personal issues (including crippling anxiety attacks) to battle an entrenched and vicious status quo. Michael Signer’s brilliant analysis of “Madison’s Method,” the means by which Madison systematically destroyed dangerous ideas and left in their stead an enduring and positive vision for the United States, is wholly original and uniquely relevant today.

The Three Lives of James Madison by Noah Feldman

Noah Feldman offers an intriguing portrait of this elusive genius and the constitutional republic he created – and how both evolved to meet unforeseen challenges. Madison hoped to eradicate partisanship yet found himself giving voice to, and institutionalizing, the political divide. His lifelong loyalty to Thomas Jefferson led to an irrevocable break with George Washington, hero of the American Revolution. He closely collaborated with Alexander Hamilton on the Federalist papers – yet their different visions for the United States left them enemies.

Madison predicted that foreign threats would justify the curtailment of civil liberties. He feared economic inequality and the power of financial markets over politics, believing that government by the people demanded resistance to wealth. Finally, he was the first Founding Father to recognize the importance of public opinion, and the first to understand that the media could function as a safeguard to liberty.

Founding Friendship by Stuart Leibiger

Although the friendship between George Washington and James Madison was eclipsed in the early 1790s by the alliances of Madison with Jefferson and Washington with Hamilton, their collaboration remains central to the constitutional revolution that launched the American experiment in republican government. Washington relied heavily on Madison’s advice, pen, and legislative skill, while Madison found Washington’s prestige indispensable for achieving his goals for the new nation.

Observing Washington and Madison in light of their special relationship, Leibiger argues against a series of misconceptions about the two men. Madison emerges as neither a strong nationalist of the Hamiltonian variety nor a political consolidationist; he did not retreat from nationalism to states’ rights in the 1790s, as other historians have charged. Washington, far from being a majestic figurehead, exhibits a strong constitutional vision and firm control of his administration.

Madison’s Gift by David O. Stewart

Short, plain, balding, neither soldier nor orator, low on charisma and high on intelligence, James Madison cared more about achieving results than taking the credit. Forming key partnerships with Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, and his wife Dolley, Madison achieved his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic.

But it was his final partnership that allowed Madison to escape his natural shyness and reach the greatest heights. Dolley was the woman he married in middle age and who presided over both him and an enlivened White House. This partnership was a love story, a unique one that sustained Madison through his political rise, his presidency, and a fruitful retirement.

In  Madison’s Gif t , David O. Stewart’s “insights are illuminating…He weaves vivid, sometimes poignant details throughout the grand sweep of historical events. He brings early history alive in a way that offers today’s readers perspective” ( Christian Science Monitor ).

James Madison: America’s First Politician by Jay Cost

How do you solve a problem like James Madison? The fourth president is one of the most confounding figures in early American history; his political trajectory seems almost intentionally inconsistent. He was both for and against a strong federal government. He wrote about the dangers of political parties in the Federalist Papers  and then helped to found the Republican Party just a few years later. This so-called Madison problem has occupied scholars for ages.

As Jay Cost shows in this incisive new biography published in 2021, the underlying logic of Madison’s seemingly mixed record comes into focus only when we understand him primarily as a working politician. Whereas other founders split their time between politics and other vocations, Madison dedicated himself singularly to the work of politics and ultimately developed it into a distinctly American idiom. He was, in short, the first American politician.

American Compact by Gary Rosen

In a study that combines penetrating textual analysis with deep historical awareness, Gary Rosen stakes out important ground by showing the philosophical consistency in Madison’s long and controversial public life. The key, he argues, is Madison’s profound originality as a student of the social compact, the venerable liberal idea into which he introduced several novel, and seemingly illiberal, principles.

Foremost among these was the need for founding to be the work of an elite few. For Madison, prior accounts of the social compact, in their eagerness to establish the proper ends of government, provided a hopelessly naive account of its origin. As he saw it, the Federal Convention of 1787 was an opportunity for those of outstanding prudence (understood in its fullest Aristotelian sense) to do for the people what they could not do for themselves.

This troublesome reliance on the few was balanced, Rosen contends, by Madison’s commitment to republicanism as an end in itself, a conclusion that he likewise drew from the social compact, accommodating the proud political claims that his philosophical predecessors had failed to recognize.

Madison and Jefferson by Andrew Burstein

The third and fourth presidents have long been considered proper gentlemen, with Thomas Jefferson’s genius overshadowing James Madison’s judgment and common sense. But in this revelatory book about their crucial partnership, both are seen as men of their times, hardboiled operatives in a gritty world of primal politics where they struggled for supremacy for more than fifty years.

With a thrilling and unprecedented account of early America as its backdrop,  Madison and Jefferson reveals these founding fathers as privileged young men in a land marked by tribal identities rather than a united national personality. Esteemed historians Andrew Burstein and Nancy Isenberg capture Madison’s hidden role – he acted in effect as a campaign manager – in Jefferson’s career. In riveting detail, the authors chart the courses of two very different presidencies: Jefferson’s driven by force of personality, Madison’s sustained by a militancy that history has been reluctant to ascribe to him.

If you enjoyed this guide to the best books on James Madison, be sure to check out our list of 10 Books on President Franklin D. Roosevelt !

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The Best Books To Learn About President James Madison

(You can view the rest of our presidential Best Book lists by going to our Best US President Books page, or for a more in-depth look at how we found and ranked the books you can visit our Best Book About Every United States President  article.)

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The Best Book About James Madison (Appears on 7 Lists)

James madison: a biography by ralph ketchem.

• At Times Dull
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• The Washington Post

The best one volume biography of Madison’s life, Ketcham’s biography not only traces Madison’s career, it gives readers a sense of the man. As Madison said of his early years in Virginia under the study of Donald Robertson, who introduced him to thinkers like Montaigne and Montesquieu, “all that I have been in life I owe largely to that man.” It also captures a side of Madison that is less rarely on display (including a portrait of the beautiful Dolley Madison).

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#2-7 Books (Appear on 3 Lists Each)

American compact: james madison and the problem of founding by gary rosen.

• Jungle Find

For students of the early American republic, James Madison has long been something of a riddle, the member of the founding generation whose actions and thought most stubbornly resist easy summary. The staunchest of Federalists in the 1780s, Madison would turn on his former allies shortly thereafter, renouncing their expansive nationalism as a threat to the Constitution and to popular government.

James Madison by Garry Wills

• All The Presidents Books

Renowned historian and social commentator Garry Wills takes a fresh look at the life of James Madison, from his rise to prominence in the colonies through his role in the creation of the Articles of Confederation and the first Constitutional Congress.

James Madison by Richard Brookhiser

James Madison led one of the most influential and prolific lives in American history, and his story—although all too often overshadowed by his more celebrated contemporaries—is integral to that of the nation. Madison helped to shape our country as perhaps no other Founder: collaborating on the Federalist Papers and the Bill of Rights, resisting government overreach by assembling one of the nation’s first political parties (the Republicans, who became today’s Democrats), and taking to the battlefield during the War of 1812, becoming the last president to lead troops in combat.

James Madison and the Making of America by Kevin Gutzman

In James Madison and the Making of America, historian Kevin Gutzman looks beyond the way James Madison is traditionally seen — as “The Father of the Constitution” — to find a more complex and sometimes contradictory portrait of this influential Founding Father and the ways in which he influenced the spirit of today’s United States. Instead of an idealized portrait of Madison, Gutzman treats readers to the flesh-and-blood story of a man who often performed his founding deeds in spite of himself: Madison’s fame rests on his participation in the writing of The Federalist Papers and his role in drafting the Bill of Rights and Constitution. Today, his contribution to those documents is largely misunderstood. He thought that the Bill of Rights was unnecessary and insisted that it not be included in the Constitution, a document he found entirely inadequate and predicted would soon fail. Madison helped to create the first American political party, the first party to call itself “Republican”, but only after he had argued that political parties, in general, were harmful. Madison served as Secretary of State and then as President during the early years of the United States and the War of 1812; however, the American foreign policy he implemented in 1801-1817 ultimately resulted in the British burning down the Capitol and the White House. In so many ways, the contradictions both in Madison’s thinking and in the way he governed foreshadowed the conflicted state of our Union now. His greatest legacy―the disestablishment of Virginia’s state church and adoption of the libertarian Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom―is often omitted from discussion of his career. Yet, understanding the way in which Madison saw the relationship between the church and state is key to understanding the real man. Kevin Gutzman’s James Madison and the Making of America promises to become the standard biography of our fourth President.

James Madison: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney

Outwardly reserved, Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy—eloquently presented in the Federalist Papers—was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway. As secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson, he managed the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the United States. As president, Madison led the country in its first war under the Constitution, the War of 1812. Without precedent to guide him, he would demonstrate that a republic could defend its honor and independence while remaining true to its young constitution.

The Last of the Fathers: James Madison & The Republican Legacy by Drew R. McCoy

James Madison survived longer than any other member of the most remarkable generation of political leaders in American history. Born in the middle of the eighteenth century as a subject of King George II, the Father of the United States Constitution lived until 1836, when he died a citizen of Andrew Jackson’s republic. For over forty years he played a pivotal role in the creation and defense of a new political order. He lived long enough to see even that Revolutionary world transformed, and the system of government he had nurtured threatened by the disruptive forces of a new era that would ultimately lead to civil war. In recounting the experience of Madison and several of his legatees who witnessed the violent test of whether his republic could endure, McCoy dramatizes the actual working out in human lives of critical cultural and political issues.

#8-13 (Appear on 2 Lists Each)

Becoming madison: the extraordinary origins of the least likely founding father by michael signer.

• Presidential History

Michael Signer takes a fresh look at the life of our fourth president. His focus is on Madison before he turned thirty-six, the years in which he did his most enduring work: battling with Patrick Henry—the most charismatic politician in revolutionary America, whose political philosophy and ruthless tactics eerily foreshadowed those of today’s Tea Party—over religious freedom; introducing his framework for a strong central government; becoming the intellectual godfather of the Constitution; and providing a crucial role at Virginia’s convention to ratify the Constitution in 1788, when the nation’s future hung in the balance.

Founding Friendship: George Washington, James Madison, and the Creation of the American Republic by Stuart Leibiger

James Madison by Irving Brant

Madison’s Gift: Five Partnerships that Built America by David O. Stewart

Short, plain, balding, neither soldier nor orator, low on charisma and high on intelligence, James Madison cared more about achieving results than taking the credit. Forming key partnerships with Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, and his wife Dolley, Madison achieved his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic. It was Madison who led the drive for the Constitutional Convention and pressed for an effective new government as his patron George Washington lent the effort legitimacy; Madison who wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton to secure the Constitution’s ratification; Madison who joined Thomas Jefferson to found the nation’s first political party and move the nation toward broad democratic principles; Madison, with James Monroe, who guided the new nation through its first war in 1812, and who handed the reins of government to the last of the Founders.

The Presidency of James Madison by Robert Allen Rutland

In this new study of the fourth presidency, distinguished historian Robert Allen Rutland paints a more complicated portrait. Rutland, former editor-in-chief of the Madison Papers, sees Madison as a bookish, practical statesman who worked furiously to avoid conflicts in his cabinet and in Congress. When he finally realized England would not be swayed by economic pressure, he boldly led the nation into a second war for independence that allowed the United States to emerge with a renewed sense of dignity and purpose.

The Sacred Fire of Liberty: James Madison and the Founding of the Federal Republic by Lance Banning

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#14-41 (Appear on 1 List Each)

A companion to james madison and james monroe by stuart leibiger.

A Companion to James Madison and James Monroe features essays from leading academics that consider various aspects of the lives and legacies of our fourth and fifth presidents.

American Revolutionaries in the Making by Charles S. Sydnor

Dolley Payne Todd Madison by Alice K. Flanagan

History of the United States During the Administrations of James Madison by Henry Adams

The library of America is dedicated to publishing America’s best and most significant writing in handsome, enduring volumes, featuring authoritative texts. Hailed as the finest-looking, longest-lasting editions ever made (The New Republic), Library of America volumes make a fine gift for any occasion. Now, with exactly one hundred volumes to choose from, there is a perfect gift for everyone.

James Madison and the Creation of the American Republic by Jack N. Rakove

In this biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack Rakove examines the life and legacy of James Madison, one of the founding fathers of the United States.

James Madison and the Search for Nationhood by Robert Allen Rutland

James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights by Richard E. Labunski

James Madison: A Son of Virginia & a Founder of the Nation by Jeff Broadwater

James Madison is remembered primarily as a systematic political theorist, but this bookish and unassuming man was also a practical politician who strove for balance in an age of revolution. In this biography, Jeff Broadwater focuses on Madison’s role in the battle for religious freedom in Virginia, his contributions to the adoption of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, his place in the evolution of the party system, his relationship with Dolley Madison, his performance as a wartime commander in chief, and his views on slavery. From Broadwater’s perspective, no single figure can tell us more about the origins of the American republic than our fourth president.

James Madison: The Founding Father by Robert Allen Rutland

Available for the first time in paperback, James Madison: The Founding Father is a lively portrait of the man who essentially fathered our constitutional guarantees of civil and religious liberty. Focusing on the role Madison played at the Continental Congress and in each stage of the formation of the American Republic, Robert Allen Rutland also covers Madison’s relationship with his beloved wife, Dolley, his fifty-year friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and his years as a respected elder statesman after serving as secretary of state and fourth president of the United States.

James Madison: Writings by James Madison

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rakove (history and American studies, Stanford U.) made the selections and supplies notes for this one-volume collection of Madison’s works. Arranged chronologically, it contains almost 200 documents written between 1772, the year after Madison’s graduation from Princeton, and his death in 1836. Included are all 29 of Madison’s contributions to The Federalist as well as speeches and letters that illuminate his role in framing and ratifying the Constitution. Also represented are early writings on religious freedom; correspondence with figures such as Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Monroe; writings from his terms as secretary of state and president; and letters and essays written during retirement.

Jefferson and Madison: The Great Collaboration by Adrienne Koch

A remarkable and revealing account of two philosopher-statesmen who decisively influenced American ideas and principles.

John Randolph of Roanoke by Russell Kirk

For most of his public career Randolph was a leader of the opposition—to both Jeffersonians and Federalists. He was, writes Russell Kirk, “devoted to state rights, the agricultural interest, economy in government, and freedom from foreign entanglements.” Above all things Randolph cherished liberty, and he famously declared, “I love liberty; I hate equality.

John Witherspoon and the Founding of the American Republic by Jeffry H. Morrison

Jeffry H. Morrison offers readers the first comprehensive look at the political thought and career of John Witherspoon—a Scottish Presbyterian minister and one of America’s most influential and overlooked founding fathers. Witherspoon was an active member of the Continental Congress and was the only clergyman both to sign the Declaration of Independence and to ratify the federal Constitution. During his tenure as president of the College of New Jersey at Princeton, Witherspoon became a mentor to James Madison and influenced many leaders and thinkers of the founding period. He was uniquely positioned at the crossroads of politics, religion, and education during the crucial first decades of the new republic.

Liberty and Learning: The Essential James Madison by Philip Bigler

Although James Madison was intimately involved in the writing of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, served as Thomas Jefferson’s Secretary of State, and was a two-term President, contemporary Americans know so little about James Madison and his work, that he is often referred to as the forgotten founder. Liberty & Learning celebrates the 200th Anniversary of James Madison’s Presidency and provides a logical and compelling case that Madison is the most advanced political theorist in American History.

Madison and Jefferson by Andrew Burstein

The third and fourth presidents have long been considered proper and noble gentlemen, with Thomas Jefferson’s genius overshadowing James Madison’s judgment and common sense. But in this revelatory book, both leaders are seen as men of their times, ruthless and hardboiled operatives in a gritty world of primal politics where they struggled for supremacy for more than fifty years.

Madison’s War: Politics, Diplomacy, and Warfare in the Early American Republic, 1783-1830 by John Charles Anderson Stagg

Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 by James Madison & Adrienne Koch

In this indispensable primary document, Madison not only provides detailed insights into one of the great events of our history, but clearly sets forth his own position on such issues as the balance of powers, the separation of functions, and the general role of the federal government. More than in the Federalist, which shows the carefully formalized conclusions of his political thought, we see in the Debates his philosophy in action, evolving in daily tension with the viewpoints of the other delegates. It is for this reason that theDebates are invaluable for placing in perspective the incomplete records of such well-known figures as Rufus King and Alexander Hamilton, and the constitutional plans of such men as Edmund Randolph and Charles Pinckney.

Parlor Politics: In Which the Ladies of Washington Help Build a City and a Government (Jeffersonian America) by Catherine Allgor

When Thomas Jefferson moved his victorious Republican administration into the new capital city in 1801, one of his first acts was to abolish any formal receptions, except on New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July. His successful campaign for the presidency had been partially founded on the idea that his Federalist enemies had assumed dangerously aristocratic trappings―a sword for George Washington and a raised dais for Martha when she received people at social occasions―in the first capital cities of New York and Philadelphia. When the ladies of Washington City, determined to have their own salon, arrived en masse at the president’s house, Jefferson met them in riding clothes, expressing surprise at their presence. His deep suspicion of any occasion that resembled a European court caused a major problem, however: without the face-to-face relationships and networks of interest created in society, the American experiment in government could not function.

Power Versus Liberty: Madison, Hamilton, Wilson, and Jefferson by James H. Read

The Authority of Publius: A Reading of the Federalist Papers by Albert Furtwangler

The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison by James Madison

In 1787, the American union was in disarray. The incompatible demands of the separate states threatened its existence; some states were even in danger of turning into the kind of tyranny they had so recently deposed. A truly national government was needed, one that could raise money, regulate commerce, and defend the states against foreign threats–without becoming as overbearing as England. So thirty-six-year-old James Madison believed. That summer, the Virginian was instrumental in organizing the Constitutional Convention, in which one of the world’s greatest documents would be debated, created, and signed. Inspired by a sense of history in the making, he kept the most extensive notes of any attendee.Now two esteemed scholars have made these minutes accessible to everyone. Presented with modern punctuation and spelling, judicious cuts, and helpful notes–plus fascinating background information on every delegate and an overview of the tumultuous times–here is the great drama of how the Constitution came to be, from the opening statements to the final votes. This Modern Library Paperback Classic also includes an Introduction and appendices from the authors.

The Elusive Republic: Political Economy in Jeffersonian America (Published for the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, Williamsburg, Virginia) by Drew R. McCoy

By investigating eighteenth-century social and economic thought–an intellectual world with its own vocabulary, concepts, and assumptions–Drew McCoy smoothly integrates the history of ideas and the history of public policy in the Jeffersonian era. The book was originally published by UNC Press in 1980.

The Federalist by Jacob E. Cooke

The definitive edition of the historic essays by ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JAMES MADISON and JOHN JAY, fully annotated and reproduced from the original text.

The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton & James Madison

Read this collection of essays, by Alexander Hamilton, that made him a founding father of the American nation. Go beyond the play, and read Hamilton’s words for yourself in this special edition. Welcome to the perfect study guide! This special edition contains edits specifically aimed at assisting readers in understanding the classic text, preparing students for examinations, or providing lesson plans for teachers. This book is ideal for readers in high school, college, or otherwise seeking an easier understanding of a classic text. Original additions include notes, lessons, and activities designed to foster understanding at key points in the story and at critical chapters. As an educator, I believe that older works of literature must be introduced into new generations. This belief has guided my editing of the original source material. Enjoy this classic piece of literature with an appreciation fostered by greater understanding and insight!

The Political Philosophy of James Madison by Garrett Ward Sheldon

Among the founders, James Madison wielded the greatest influence in drafting the Constitution of 1789. In this book, Garrett Ward Sheldon offers a concise synthesis of Madison’s political philosophy in the context of the social and political history of his day.

The Republic of Letters: The Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and James Madison by James Morton Smith

The collaboration began in 1776, when Jefferson and Madison met as members of the Virginia House of Delegates, and ended fifty years later, when Jefferson died. They exchanged nearly 1,250 letters, running the gamut from short notes (“Will you come and sit an hour before dinner to-day?” Jefferson scribbled to Madison in 1791) to Madison’s remarkable seventeen-page letter on the results of the Constitutional Convention.

The Transformation of Virginia, 1740-1790 by Rhys Isaac

In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Rhys Isaac describes and analyzes the dramatic confrontations–primarily religious and political–that transformed Virginia in the second half of the eighteenth century. Making use of the observational techniques of the cultural anthropologist, Isaac vividly recreates and painstakingly dissects a society in the turmoil of profound inner change.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom: Its Evolution and Consequences in American History (Cambridge Studies in Religion and American Public Life) by Merrill D. Peterson & Robert C. Vaughan

This book examines the famous Jefferson document that foreshadowed the Constitution’s guarantee of religious liberty, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Jefferson wrote the Virginia Statute and shepherded it through a decade-long struggle for adoption. The statute reflects two key Revolutionary principles: absolute freedom of religious conscience and the separation of church and state.

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10 Must-Read Books on James Madison

• Best Books on US Presidents
• James Madison

Although James Madison is not typically one of the Founding Fathers that comes to mind when discussing American history, he was a pivotal figure in the early days of our country. 

A bookworm from a young age, Madison's intellectual prowess led him to play a critical role in framing the Constitution and ratifying it. He also served as the Secretary of State and fourth President of the United States. 

If you're interested in learning more about this fascinating man, here are 10 books about James Madison that will get you started.

1. James Madison: A Biography

Written by : Ralph Louis Ketcham

Published : 1971

Pages : 753

Most people know James Madison as the father of the Constitution and one of the key players in the United States' early years.

But what many don't know is that Madison was also an accomplished diplomat and philosopher who had a profound impact on America's history.

In James Madison: A Biography , Ralph Louis Ketcham provides a detailed look at Madison's life and career, painting a clear picture of this important figure in American history.

>> More about the other Founding Father's of the US

2. James Madison

Written by : Richard Brookhiser

Published : 2011

Pages : 287

There is no figure quite like James Madison in American history. The "Father of the Constitution" and fourth president, Madison, was a driving force behind creating the United States and its government.

But he was also a brilliant thinker who left his mark on political theory long after his time in office. Richard Brookhiser's biography, James Madison , provides an in-depth look at this remarkable man - from his upbringing to his work as a legislator to his role in shaping the early United States.

It is an essential read for anyone interested in American history or politics.

3. Madison and Jefferson

Written by : Andrew Burstein, Nancy Isenberg

Published : 2010

Pages : 809

Few figures loom as prominent in the American political landscape as James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. The two men were key players in the development of our young country and left an indelible mark on American history.

In Madison and Jefferson , author Andrew Burstein takes a close look at their lives and careers, exploring the complicated and important relationship between the two men.

You’ll learn more about Madison’s role as Jefferson’s Secretary of State, how they worked together to form the first political party in history, and their work to secure the Louisiana Purchase.

>> More about Thomas Jefferson

4. James Madison: A Life Reconsidered

Written by : Lynne Cheney

Published : 2014

Pages : 576

It has been said that James Madison is one of the most underappreciated U.S. Presidents in history. Lynne Cheney, the wife of former Vice President Dick Cheney, seeks to change that with her book on Madison's life and legacy.

In James Madison: A Life Reconsidered , Cheney brings new insight to America's fourth president, revealing a far more complex man than many realize.

Through personal anecdotes and thorough research, Cheney paints a portrait of Madison as a brilliant thinker and skilled politician whose impact on American history is undeniable.

5. The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812

Written by : Jane Hampton Cook

Published : 2016

Pages : 352

In August of 1814, the British invaded Washington D.C. and set fire to the White House. This event was a devastating blow to the presidency and the United States.

President James Madison and his wife Dolley were forced to flee their home in the middle of the night, and they barely escaped with their lives.

The War of 1812 was a turning point for American history, and the burning of several buildings in D.C. and the White House was a defining moment in that war.

In this book, you'll learn more about this critical moment in U.S. History.

>> Additional books about the War of 1812

6. Founding Rivals: Madison vs. Monroe, The Bill of Rights, and The Election that Saved a Nation

Written by : Chris DeRose

Pages : 336

Throughout the history of the United States, there have been many elections that changed the shape of our nation. One isn’t as well known or talked about that often.

The year was 1789. The election was for a seat in Congress. The two running for the seat were James Madison and James Monroe.

The winner, Madison, helped ensure the Constitution and the federal government's survival early on in history. Madison was a firm believer in the Constitution. Monroe felt that it overstepped and was too powerful a document for the states.

In this book, you'll learn about the friendship between these two men. You'll also learn how each of these two Founding Fathers was on a different side during the formation of the nation.

7. The Constitutional Convention: A Narrative History from the Notes of James Madison

Written by : James Madison, Edward J. Larson, Michael P. Winship

Published : 2005

Pages : 256

In 1787, fifty-five delegates from the thirteen colonies convened in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. After four months of deliberation, they produced the United States Constitution. To this day, the Constitution remains a living document, with each generation interpreting its provisions in new and unique ways.

The notes of James Madison–arguably the most essential delegate at the Convention–provide a first-hand account of these momentous proceedings. This book offers a comprehensive narrative history of the Convention based on Madison's notes, as well as an examination of how they have been used and interpreted over time.

8. The First Congress: How James Madison, George Washington, and a Group of Extraordinary Men Invented the Government

Written by : Fergus M. Bordewich

Pages : 416

In 1789, a new era in United States history began with the first meeting of the United States Congress. George Washington was elected as America's first president to lead this vital group of legislators. Joining him in Congress were many notable Founding Fathers, including James Madison and Benjamin Franklin.

Over the next two years, this group of men helped create the government, including the first amendments to the Constitution, how to balance the power within the government, and the final location of the national capital.

Their work during the First Congress set the foundation for our country's future.

In this book, you’ll learn more about Maidson’s role in these first two years of Congress.

>> More books about President George Washington

9. The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, Partisan, President

Written by : Noah Feldman

Published : 2017

Pages : 816

Noah Feldman's new book, The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, Partisan, President , is a fresh and insightful look at the life of one of America's most influential Founding Fathers.

Drawing on Madison's correspondence and public papers, Feldman paints a nuanced portrait of Madison that goes beyond the popular image as a brilliant thinker and skilled politician.

Feldman details three distinct periods in Madison’s life and how he changed that look of the U.S. in each one.

10. The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers

Written by : Thomas Fleming

Published : 2009

Pages : 480

It's no secret that our Founding Fathers were incredibly talented and accomplished individuals. But what many people don't know is that they were also complex human beings with rich, intimate lives. In his book, The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers , Thomas Fleming provides a fascinating look at the private side of these famous men.

From George Washington's vibrant personal life to John Adams' complicated relationship with his wife Abigail, the private lives of our Founding Fathers are explored in meticulous detail.

This book offers a unique perspective on American history and provides an exciting glimpse into the minds of some of our country's most influential figures.

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on James Madison

4th u.s. president, james madison, 1809 to 1817.

Writings about the President and His Administration

Banning, Lance,

The sacred fire of liberty : James Madison and the founding of the federal republic

Cornell University Press, 1995. x, 543 p. : E 0342.00B2451995

Brant, Irving,

James Madison.

Bobbs-Merrill [1941-61] 6 v. E 0342.00B7

The fourth President; a life of James Madison.

Bobbs-Merrill [1970] 681 p. E 0342.00B72

Hunt, Gaillard,

The life of James Madison,

Doubleday, Page & Co., 1902. 402 p. E 0342.00H943

Ketcham, Ralph Louis,

James Madison; a biography,

Macmillan [1971] xiv, 753 p. E 0342.00K461971

Madison, James,

The mind of the founder : sources of the political thought of James Madison

Published for Brandeis University Press by University lvi, 449 p. ; E 0302.00M1921981

The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed.

G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1900-10. 9 v. E 0302.00M22

Matthews, Richard K.,

If men were angels : James Madison and the heartless empire of reason

University Press of Kansas, c1995. xviii, 297 p. ; JC0211.00M35.M381995

McCoy, Drew R.

The last of the fathers : James Madison and the Republican legacy

Cambridge University Press, 1989. xvii, 386 p. : E 0342.00M331989

Miller, William Lee.

The business of May next : James Madison and the founding

University Press of Virginia, 1992. xii, 296 p. ; E 0342.00M551992

Rakove, Jack N.,

James madison and the creation of the American republic

PearsonLongman, c2007. p. cm. E 0342.00R352007

Rives, William C.

History of the life and times of James Madison.

Little, Brown and company, 1859-68. 3 v. E 0342.00R62

Rutland, Robert Allen,

James Madison : the founding father

Macmillan ; c1987. xi, 287 p., [8] p. of plates : E 0342.00R881987

James Madison and the search for nationhood

Library of Congress : xvii, 174 p. : E 0342.00R871981

The presidency of James Madison

University Press of Kansas, c1990. xiii, 233 p. ; E 0341.00R871990

Schultz, Harold Seessel,

James Madison,

Twayne Publishers [c1970] 2, 241 p. E 0342.00S38

Works by the President: General, Published Papers

The papers of James Madison : presidential series

University Press of Virginia, 1984-<2004> v. <1-5> ; E 0302.00M191984

The papers of James Madison.

University Press of Virginia, 1986-<2005> v. <1-7> ; E 0302.00M191986

Selected Writings

Notes of debates in the Federal Convention of 1787

Norton, 1987. xxiii, 695 p. ; KF4510.00U541987

Cooke, Jacob E., ed.

The Federalist.

Wesleyan University Press [1961] xxx, 672 p. JK1541.961b

Jefferson, Thomas,

The republic of letters : the correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, 1776-1826

Norton, 1995. 3 v. : E 0332.88.M331995

James Madison, a biography in his own words.

Newsweek; distributed by Harper & Row [1974] 416 p. E 0342.00A341974b

The complete Madison : his basic writings

Harper, c1953. ix, 361 p. : E 0302.00M17

Prescott, Arthur Taylor,

Drafting the Federal Constitution; a rearrangement of Madison's notes giving consecutive developments of provisions in the Constitution of the United States, supplemented by documents pertaining to the Philadelphia convention and to ratification processes

Greenwood Press, 1968 [c1941] xix, 838 p. JK0146.00P71968

My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies

Review of “James Madison: A Biography” by Ralph Ketcham

23 Thursday May 2013

Posted by Steve in President #04 - J Madison

≈ 5 Comments

American history , biographies , book reviews , James Madison , presidential biographies , Presidents , Ralph Ketcham

Although James Madison is not as well-known as other “Founding Fathers” he played a critical role in our nation’s earliest years – directly and behind-the-scenes.  He is considered the “Father of the US Constitution” for his role in its drafting and passage, was a primary champion and author of the Bill of Rights, was a key advisor to Presidents Washington and Jefferson, served as Jefferson’s two-term Secretary of State and was the fourth President of the United States.

Ketcham’s “James Madison” is a sober, detailed, well-researched and lengthy treatment of Madison covering most aspects of his life – from his birth in 1751 at Belle Grove Plantation (more on this interesting site in a later post) until his death at Montpelier in 1836.  While reading this 671 page tome, one imagines there must be little about Madison’s life which Ketcham did not include. And on the whole, Ketcham’s biography seems quite well-balanced and objective. Though bias in Madison’s favor shows slightly at times, the author is generally critical of Madison’s leadership style, his handling of the War of 1812, and his actions (and inactions) regarding slavery.

Ketcham provides a particularly detailed and penetrating account of the drafting, passage and ratification of the Constitution, describing Madison’s role as well as the parts played by numerous antagonists. After absorbing this section of the book and reflecting on the multitude of perils faced through ratification, it seems little short of a miracle that this pillar of our government survived the fractious political environment into which it was born.  A few books focused on the founding of our country will soon appear on my “must read” list as a result of Ketcham’s description.

As seems typical for a book of this vintage, the author’s writing style can be garrulous and difficult to traverse and the subject matter frequently proves dense.  Some have described large portions of the book as “boring” – a complaint difficult to argue, particularly when reflecting on the seemingly endless pages leading up to, and including, the War of 1812. Others lament occasionally tedious diversions into discussions of political philosophy.  But given Madison’s particular skill set, it seems difficult to imagine a complete treatment of this deep political thinker not examining in detail his core political beliefs.

More regrettable in my view is that the one thing missing from this otherwise complete biography…is Madison himself.  Despite its length and tendency for detail, the biography seems utterly devoid of vitality or warmth – or passion of any type – relating to its primary subject.  Some of the blame may rest on Madison, who has been described as erudite but austere, mechanical and emotionally distant.

However, by the end of the book I felt exceedingly well-acquainted with Madison’s political activities…yet knew virtually nothing of him or his family on a personal level.  And given her reputation as the nation’s most-loved “First Lady” I would have enjoyed getting to know better his famously gregarious wife, Dolley.  I also felt the author missed an opportunity to better describe the extraordinarily unique and powerfully symbiotic relationship between Madison and Thomas Jefferson.

But what it may lack in personality or frivolity, Ralph Ketcham’s “James Madison: A Biography” makes up for in depth.  It is a fabulously insightful, extremely detailed and objective examination of Madison’s political life, and his enormous contributions to this country.  Certainly, this biography is missing is a personal touch which would serve to humanize Madison and animate the sometimes tedious aspects of his life.  But while readers expecting a David McCullough style journey will be sorely (and quickly) disappointed, as an academic matter, this biography was excellent.

Overall rating: 3¾ stars

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5 thoughts on “review of “james madison: a biography” by ralph ketcham”.

March 23, 2015 at 6:36 pm

Just finished this biography and I agree with your review. I think the author would’ve benefited by telling the story in a fashion more fitting with events rather than in a mismatched awkward chronological order. I felt it got a bit exciting with the war of 1812 because the author started to tell a story, and characters seemed to start and come out. However again it got lost in minor details about cabinet positions and treaty propositions rather than telling a story I felt we were told details.

It was not an easy biography to follow and the author would’ve benefited with breaking it into more chapters that had focus rather than lengthy chapters that covered several years and aspects of his life.

I do think the author did a decent job with Dolley Madison, and we got more of a character with her than we did of James Madison.

Overall, there was a lot of information to consume and I feel to really appreciate the biography I would have had to take notes while reading it. Do you take notes while reading your biographies to remember details or events you find interesting?

Your blog helped me select my next couple of biographies, so I am off to start Mr. Monroe.

March 24, 2015 at 5:13 am

Thanks for your thoughts on Ketcham’s bio – and please let me know what you think of your biography of James Monroe when you get through it! And, yes, I do take notes on a laptop as I work through each presidential biography. I started doing that as a way of capturing the most memorable and clever one-liners, but now also use notes to remember important items I would otherwise forget.

July 13, 2016 at 10:33 pm

I am wrapping up Ketcham’s Madison currently, and appreciate your review. I have mostly been put off by the abundance of names I will never remember or even encounter again — his ancient historical influences, his college acquaintances, various politicians of little significance — as well as his constant school-textbook-style references (“see chapter XVI”), like I’m going to go back and thumb through something I’ve already read. Why not just trust that I remember the subject cited? Also, he has too much faith in my understanding of Latin phrases. But having said all that, I am enjoying this bio very much, and finding just enough info on Dolley to increase my fondness of her. I look forward to stopping by her home on Lafayette Square the next time I’m in DC.

February 16, 2018 at 6:58 pm

I agree with you – lots of information in this one, but a bit of a slog. Madison’s such a remarkable character, he really deserves something in the Chernow/McCullough vein to bring him to life.

August 9, 2021 at 8:30 am

“the author’s writing style can be garrulous and difficult to traverse and the subject matter frequently proves dense”

I was happy to hear you say this.

James Madison, the ‘Father of Politics’

• Share full article

By Richard Beeman

• Oct. 28, 2011

No one would ever have mistaken James Madison for George Washington. Short, scrawny and sickly, he suffered from a hypochondria that convinced him he would lead neither a long nor a healthy life. He was a miserable public speaker who tended to lapse into inaudible mumbling, and well into his career as a politician, he continued to shrink back in horror at the idea of going out on the stump and putting on “an electioneering appearance.”

True, he had a powerful intellect, but compared with that of his more urbane friend and neighbor Thomas Jefferson, Madison’s intellectual appetite, fixed as it was on political history and theory, seemed narrow, circumscribed. All in all, he would be an unlikely candidate for success in our own, media-dominated political world. Perhaps a professor of history or political theory at a university that didn’t require much teaching. But one of the most influential politicians of his generation? Hardly.

Richard Brookhiser , a senior editor at National Review and the author of 10 previous books, sees beyond the man’s personal frailties in “James Madison.” For Brookhiser, Madison was “the Father of Politics. He lived in his head, but his head was always concerned with making his cherished thoughts real.” This Madison is no ivory tower pedant but, rather, a relentless and immensely successful politician who put all of his heavy-duty thinking to good use.

Despite his pessimistic predictions about his longevity, Madison lived to the age of 85. From the time that he graduated from Princeton in 1771 until his retirement from the presidency in 1817, he devoted himself to politics and, in particular, to the building of the American nation. In this short, breezily written biography, Brookhiser attempts to cover all of the major events of Madison’s public career.

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James Madison

By: History.com Editors

Updated: March 22, 2022 | Original: October 29, 2009

James Madison (1751-1836) was a Founding Father of the United States and the fourth American president, serving in office from 1809 to 1817. An advocate for a strong federal government, the Virginia-born Madison composed the first drafts of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights and earned the nickname “Father of the Constitution.” 

In 1792, Madison and Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) founded the Democratic-Republican Party, which has been called America’s first opposition political party. When Jefferson became the third U.S. president, Madison served as his secretary of state. In this role, he oversaw the Louisiana Purchase from the French in 1803. During his presidency, Madison led the U.S. into the controversial War of 1812 (1812-15) against Great Britain. After two terms in the White House, Madison retired to his Virginia plantation, Montpelier, with his wife Dolley (1768-1849).

Early Years

James Madison was born on March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia , to James Madison Sr. and Nellie Conway Madison. The oldest of 12 children, Madison was raised on the family plantation, Montpelier, in Orange County, Virginia. At age 18, Madison left Montpelier to attend the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University).

Did you know? Montpelier, James Madison's Virginia plantation home, was established by his grandfather in 1723. An estimated 100 enslaved people lived at Montpelier when Madison owned it. The property was sold after this death. Today the estate, which covers some 2,600 acres, is open to the public.

After graduation, Madison took an interest in the relationship between the American colonies and Britain, which had grown tumultuous over the issue of British taxation. When Virginia began preparing for the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), Madison was appointed a colonel in the Orange County militia. Small in stature and sickly, he soon gave up a military career for a political one. In 1776, he represented Orange County at the Virginia Constitution Convention to organize a new state government no longer under British rule.

During his work in the Virginia legislature, Madison met lifelong friend Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States. As a politician, Madison often fought for religious freedom, believing it was an individual’s right from birth.

In 1780, Madison became a Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He left Congress in 1783 to return to the Virginia assembly and work on a religious freedom statute, though he would soon be called back to Congress to help create a new constitution.

Father of the Constitution

After the colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776, the Articles of Confederation were created as the first constitution of the United States. The Articles were ratified in 1781 and gave most of the power to the individual state legislatures who acted more like individual countries than a union. This structure left the national Congress weak, with no ability to properly manage federal debt or maintain a national army.

Madison, after undertaking an extensive study of other world governments, came to the conclusion that America needed a strong federal government in order to help regulate the state legislatures and create a better system for raising federal money. He felt the government should be set up with a system of checks and balances so no branch had greater power over the other. Madison also suggested that governors and judges have enhanced roles in government in order to help manage the state legislatures.

In May 1787, delegates from each state came together at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and Madison was able to present his ideas for an effective government system in his “Virginia Plan,” which detailed a government with three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. This plan would form the basis of the U.S. Constitution . Madison took detailed notes during debates at the convention, which helped to further shape the U.S. Constitution and led to his moniker: “Father of the Constitution.” (Madison stated the Constitution was not “the off-spring of a single brain,” but instead, “the work of many heads and many hands.”)

Ratifying the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

Once the new constitution was written, it needed to be ratified by nine of the 13 states. This was not an easy process, as many states felt the Constitution gave the federal government too much power. Supporters of the Constitution were known as Federalists , while critics were called Anti-Federalists.

Madison played a strong role in the ratification process and wrote a number of essays outlining his support for the Constitution. His writings, along with those penned by other advocates, were released anonymously under the title “The Federalist,” a series of 85 essays produced between 1787 and 1788. After extensive debate, the U.S. Constitution was signed by members of the Constitutional Convention in September 1787. The document was ratified by the states in 1788 and the new government became functional the following year.

Bill of Rights

Madison was elected to the newly formed U.S. House of Representatives , where he served from 1789 to 1797. In Congress, he worked to draft the Bill of Rights , a group of 10 amendments to the Constitution that spelled out fundamental rights (such as freedom of speech and religion) held by U.S. citizens. The Bill of Rights was ratified by the states in 1791.

In the new, more powerful Congress, Madison and Jefferson soon found themselves disagreeing with the Federalists on key issues dealing with federal debt and power. For example, the two men favored states’ rights and opposed Federalist leader Alexander Hamilton ’s (c. 1755-1804) proposal for a national bank, the Bank of the United States . 

In 1792, Jefferson and Madison founded the Democratic-Republican Party, which has been labeled America’s first opposition political party. Jefferson, Madison and James Monroe (1758-1831) were the only Democratic-Republicans ever to become U.S. presidents, as the party divided into competing factions in the 1820s.

Dolley Madison

Madison also had a new development in his personal life: In 1794, after a brief courtship, the 43-year-old Madison married 26-year-old Dolley Payne Todd (1768-1849), an outgoing Quaker widow with one son. Dolley’s personality contrasted sharply with that of the quiet, reserved Madison. She loved entertaining and hosted many receptions and dinner parties during which Madison could meet other influential figures of his time. During the couple’s 41-year marriage, Dolley Madison and James Madison were reportedly rarely apart.

James Madison, Secretary of State: 1801-09

Through the years, Madison’s friendship with Jefferson would continue to thrive. When Jefferson became the third president of the United States, he appointed Madison as secretary of state. In this position, which he held from 1801 to 1809, Madison helped acquire the Louisiana Territory from the French in 1803. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of America.

In 1807, Madison and Jefferson enacted an embargo on all trade with Britain and France. The two European countries were at war and, angered by America’s neutrality, they had begun attacking U.S. ships at sea. However, the embargo hurt America and its merchants and sailors more than Europe, which did not need the American goods. Jefferson ended the embargo in 1809 as he left office.

James Madison, Fourth President and the War of 1812

In the presidential election of 1808, Madison defeated Federalist candidate Charles Cotesworth Pinckney (1745-1825) to become the nation’s fourth chief executive. Madison continued to face problems from overseas, as Britain and France had continued their attacks on American ships following the embargo. In addition to impeding U.S. trade, Britain took U.S. sailors for its own navy and began supporting American Indians in battles against U.S. settlers.

In retaliation, Madison issued a war proclamation against Britain in 1812. However, America was not ready for a war. Congress had not properly funded or prepared an army, and a number of the states did not support what was referred to as “Mr. Madison’s War” and would not allow their militias to join the campaign. Despite these setbacks, American forces attempted to fight off and attack British forces. The U.S. met defeat much of the time both on land and at sea, but its well-built ships proved to be formidable foes.

As the War of 1812 continued, Madison ran for re-election against Federalist candidate DeWitt Clinton (1767-1828), who was also supported by an anti-war faction of the Democratic-Republican Party, and won. Despite the victory, Madison was often criticized and blamed for the difficulties stemming from the war. Trade stopped between the U.S. and Europe, hurting American merchants once again. New England threatened secession from the Union. The Federalists undermined Madison’s efforts; and Madison was forced to flee Washington, D.C., in August 1814 as British troops invaded and burned buildings, including the White House , the Capitol and the Library of Congress .

Finally, weary from battle, Britain and the U.S. agreed to negotiate an end to the war. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in December 1814 in Europe. Before word of the peace agreement reached America, a major victory for U.S. troops at the Battle of New Orleans (December 1814-January 1815) helped shine a positive light on the controversial war. Though the war was mismanaged, there were some key victories that emboldened the Americans. Once blamed for the errors in the war, Madison was eventually hailed for its triumphs.

Final Years

After two terms in office, Madison left Washington, D.C., in 1817, and returned to Montpelier with his wife. Despite the challenges he encountered during his presidency, Madison was respected as a great thinker, communicator and statesman. He remained active in various civic causes, and in 1826 became rector of the University of Virginia, which was founded by his friend Thomas Jefferson. Madison died at Montpelier on June 28, 1836, at the age of 85, from heart failure.

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Early life and political activities

At a glance: the madison presidency.

• The father of the Constitution
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What is James Madison best known for? 

James Madison created the basic framework for the U.S. Constitution and helped write the Bill of Rights . He is therefore known as the Father of the Constitution. He served as the fourth U.S. president , and he signed a declaration of war against Great Britain , starting the War of 1812 . 

Besides creating the basic outline for the U.S. Constitution , James Madison was one of the authors of the Federalist papers . As secretary of state under Pres. Thomas Jefferson , he oversaw the Louisiana Purchase . He and Jefferson founded the Democratic-Republican Party . After leaving the presidency, he wrote the Virginia Resolutions opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts . 

What was James Madison’s education?

James Madison was privately educated before attending the College of New Jersey, which became Princeton University , where he studied classical languages, mathematics , rhetoric , geography , and philosophy as well as Hebrew and political philosophy .

How did James Madison get into politics?

James Madison was elected to Virginia ’s 1776 Revolutionary convention, where he drafted a guarantee of religious freedom. He was later appointed to the Virginia Council of State, and in 1780 he was elected as the youngest member of the Continental Congress .

James Madison (born March 16 [March 5, Old Style], 1751, Port Conway, Virginia [U.S.]—died June 28, 1836, Montpelier, Virginia, U.S.) was the fourth president of the United States (1809–17) and one of the Founding Fathers of his country . At the Constitutional Convention (1787), he influenced the planning and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in the publication of the Federalist papers . As a member of the new House of Representatives , he sponsored the first 10 amendments to the Constitution , commonly called the Bill of Rights . He was secretary of state under President Thomas Jefferson when the Louisiana Territory was purchased from France . The War of 1812 was fought during his presidency.

Madison was born at the home of his maternal grandmother. The son and namesake of a leading Orange county landowner and squire, he maintained his lifelong home in Virginia at Montpelier, near the Blue Ridge Mountains . In 1769 he rode horseback to the College of New Jersey ( Princeton University ), selected for its hostility to episcopacy. He completed the four-year course in two years, finding time also to demonstrate against England and to lampoon members of a rival literary society in ribald verse. Overwork produced several years of epileptoid hysteria and premonitions of early death, which thwarted military training but did not prevent home study of public law , mixed with early advocacy of independence (1774) and furious denunciation of the imprisonment of nearby Dissenters from the established Anglican church. Madison never became a church member, but in maturity he expressed a preference for Unitarianism .

His health improved, and he was elected to Virginia’s 1776 Revolutionary convention, where he drafted the state’s guarantee of religious freedom. In the convention-turned-legislature he helped Thomas Jefferson disestablish the church but lost reelection by refusing to furnish the electors with free whiskey. After two years on the governor’s council, he was sent to the Continental Congress in March 1780.

Five feet four inches tall and weighing about 100 pounds, small boned, boyish in appearance, and weak of voice, he waited six months before taking the floor, but strong actions belied his mild demeanor . He rose quickly to leadership against the devotees of state sovereignty and enemies of Franco-U.S. collaboration in peace negotiations, contending also for the establishment of the Mississippi as a western territorial boundary and the right to navigate that river through its Spanish-held delta. Defending Virginia ’s charter title to the vast Northwest against states that had no claim to western territories and whose major motive was to validate barrel-of-rum purchases from Indian tribes, Madison defeated the land speculators by persuading Virginia to cede the western lands to Congress as a national heritage.

Following the ratification of the Articles of Confederation in 1781, Madison undertook to strengthen the Union by asserting implied power in Congress to enforce financial requisitions upon the states by military coercion. This move failing, he worked unceasingly for an amendment conferring power to raise revenue and wrote an eloquent address adjuring the states to avert national disintegration by ratifying the submitted article. The chevalier de la Luzerne, French minister to the United States , wrote that Madison was “regarded as the man of the soundest judgment in Congress.”

James Madison

A biography, ralph ketcham.

• Memoir, Biography, & Autobiography

• Author Bio(s)

The best one volume biography of Madison’s life, Ketcham’s biography not only traces Madison’s career, it gives readers a sense of the man. As Madison said of his early years in Virginia under the study of Donald Robertson, who introduced him to thinkers like Montaigne and Montesquieu, "all that I have been in life I owe largely to that man." It also captures a side of Madison that is less rarely on display (including a portrait of the beautiful Dolley Madison).

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James Madison: A Biography Kindle Edition

• Print length 47 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publication date February 21, 2020
• File size 1580 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0851Y32HP
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 21, 2020
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1580 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 47 pages
• #1,308 in Biographies of US Presidents
• #1,527 in 90-Minute Biography & Memoir Short Reads
• #3,323 in Biographies of Political Leaders

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