Top 10 Facts about James Madison

James Madison.Image from Portrait and Biographical Album of Washtenaw County-   Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about James Madison

James Madison was born in 16^th March 1751. His parents were James Madison Sr. and Nelly Conway Madison. His family had lived in Virginia since the mid-1600s. Out of twelve children, he was the oldest.

His father was a tobacco planter who grew up at a plantation, which he had inherited upon reaching adulthood. With an estimated 100 slaves and a 5,000 acres plantation, Madison’s father was the largest landowner and a leading citizen in Piedmont.

He was an American statesman, diplomat, expansionist, philosopher and founding father. He was the 4^th President of America. He served from 1809 to 1817.

He was privately tutored at the early years. He later enrolled to Princeton University. He graduated by never really practiced law. He concentrated to reading the law rather than practicing law.

1.Madison contributed to the ratification of the constitution

Portrait of James Madison. Potrait by John Vanderlyn – Wikimedia

He is often called the ‘Father of the constitution.

Together with Hamilton and Jay, they wrote the 85 essays of what became known as The Federalist Papers in six months, with Madison writing 29 of the essays. These successfully defended the new Constitution and argued for its ratification to the people of New York.

The articles were published in book form and became a virtual debater’s handbook for the supporters of the Constitution in the ratifying conventions. They became the most important work in political science that ever has been written, or is likely ever to be written, in America.

2. Madison was the smallest President

James Madison. Potrait by Chappel, Alonzo – Wikimedia

Madison was frequently sickly and slightly small built man. He was just 5 feet 4 inches tall. He didn’t weigh much either.

His voice was so weak that people often had difficulty hearing his speeches, and he was plagued by recurring bouts of attacks, somewhat resembling epilepsy. While contemporaries praised Madison’s fierce intelligence, many also made note of his small size and timid demeanor. The wife of a Virginia politician once labeled him “the most unsociable creature in existence.”

3. His secret weapon was his wife

Dolley-madison by Unknown author-Wikipedia

Dolley Payne Todd Madison is one of the best known and loved First Ladies. Her iconic style and social presence boosted her husband’s popularity as President. Where he was timid and shy, Dolley compensated for with her warmth and gaiety.

Blessed with a desire to please and a willingness to be pleased, she made her home the center of society when Madison began, in 1801, his eight years as Jefferson’s Secretary of State. She assisted at the White House when the President asked her help in receiving ladies, and presided at the first inaugural ball in Washington when her husband became Chief Executive in 1809.

4.He lost an election because he did not give alcohol to voters

It was common for aspirants to bribe voters with food and drink. If a candidate ignored the custom of treating, he often found himself in great difficulty. Those that did not ‘treat the voters’ were often regarded as mean and of a proud nature.

When James Madison attempted to campaign in 1777 without “the corrupting influence of spirituous liquors, and other treats,” he lost to a less principled opponent. He opined that people should not tolerate or expect to be courted or treated by candidates and he decisively refused to buy them whiskey.

5.Madison was rivals with Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry. Photo by William Wirt-Wikimedia

After he lost the election in 1977, he was appointed to the Virginia Council of State. He worked with governors Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.

Madison and Patrick often found themselves on opposite sides. Madison was very passionate in debates. Patrick proposed a bill which would tax voters to support a Christian denomination of their choosing. Madison opposed it. Madison argued that religion should be left to the conviction and conscience of every man without government interference. The bill ended up being defeated. This was one of the first of many times they would not agree.

Patrick Henry became one of the strongest voices against the new constitution.

6. Madison led America into war with Britain

This was war was termed as the controversial war of 1812 to 1815.

The continued British impressment of American sailors and British encouragement of native American aggression against settlers in the west fueled the nation’s desire for war.

After four years of commercial warfare and economic depression for American merchants and not change of British policy, Madison sought declaration of war.

The congress declared war. American forces launched series of invasions into Canada. The conflict ended shortly after America defeats the British army at New Orleans in 1815. A treat was  signed in Ghent.

7.He never freed his slaves

Freeing of the Slaves by John Steuart Curry. Panoramic photo by Robin Davies – Wikimedia

Madison supported legislation allowing those who claimed people as property to free their workers without the approval of state or local authorities. However he never liberated his own enslaved workers.

Madison opposed the African slave trade throughout his career.  Yet late in life he defended the westward expansion of slavery. He regularly attacked slavery as a violation of republican principles, without ever putting forward a realistic program to eradicate the institution.

He embraced an unworkable plan to colonize freed enslaved people in Africa. Whites and free Blacks could not peacefully co-exist led Madison to routinely compromise his antislavery convictions.

8.Madison was related to George Washington

George Washington. Potrait by John Trumbull – Wikimedia

Dolley Payne Todd was the sister-in-law of George Steptoe Washington.

He was also a close confidant of Washington. Madison helped the first president set up the new federal government by offering advice on a variety of issues, including personnel selection. Washington also frequently asked Madison to write important public addresses.

Like many of Washington’s close associates, Madison lobbied the president for a second term in office in 1792.

The working relationship between the two men deteriorated, however, as the policy conflicts and acrimony between Madison and Alexander Hamilton increased during Washington’s two terms in office.

9.Madison was great friends with Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson. Potrait by Rembrandt Peale – Wikimedia

They were regarded as the dynamic duo.

From their first meeting in the fall of 1776, Jefferson and Madison brought out the best in each other.

Physically, they couldn’t have been more different. Jefferson was six feet two and a half inches tall, lean in build and red haired Madison was barely five feet and five inches, barely a hundred pounds, blue eyed and balding.

Intellectually, they complemented each other to perfection. Jefferson, quick witted and ever curious, was the passionate visionary. Madison, painfully shy and seeing all sides of every issue, was the skeptical realist. Both

 They were known for fascinating people in small groups with their knowledge, dry senses of humor, and enthusiasm for liberty, the arts, sciences and agriculture.

10. Madison was an above average president

Lithograph half portrait President James Madison by Unknown author-Wikimedia

Historians summarized as a president who blundered, he deferred excessively to Congress, and he took the United States deliberately into war. It was disastrous to the extent that it led to destruction of the national capitol.

Some of his actions reflected a view incompatible with continued development of the modern nation state. Nevertheless, other of his actions strengthened the constitutional system.

He prepared the country to enter the new century. In many ways he conducted himself in a manner that could serve as a model for presidents. One could look only at the accomplishments and conclude that Madison’s presidency was great.

He died of congestive heart failure at Montpelier on the morning of June 28, 1836, at the age of 85.He was one of the last prominent members of the Revolutionary War generation to die.