James Madison

James Madison (1751–1836) was an American statesman and political theorist who played a central role in the founding of the United States. A delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he helped shape the U.S. Constitution and later co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, advocating ratification. In the First Congress, Madison drafted many of the amendments that became the Bill of Rights. He served as Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson before becoming the nation’s 4th President (1809–1817). His presidency included the War of 1812. Madison later supported the University of Virginia.