Background
James Madison was born on March 16, 1751, in Orange County, Virginia, and soon became the oldest of twelve children. In 1762, Madison went to boarding school to get an education- but was brought back to his father's plantation (now known as Montpelier) because of his sudden ailments. In 1769, Madison attended the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton), and he graduated in 1771. He returned to Orange Country and got sucked into the strain between the colonists and British authorities. He was put into the Orange County Committee of Safety in 1774, and, a year later, became the colonel of the Virginia militia. Madison was Orange County's representative at the Virginia Convention; where he met Thomas Jefferson. They became instant friends, and the companionship would last for their whole lives. Madison worked with George Mason when creating a draft of Virginia's constitution- in which he wove the right to religious freedom. Madison lost his bid for a seat in the Virginia Assembly in 1777. Later, Madison was appointed to the Governor's Council; handling the correspondance with France. He was Virginia's delegate at the Continental Congress in 1780. Then, he returned to Virginia and helped separate religion and government. In 1787, Madison represented Virginia at the Constitution Convention; attempting to persuade the others for a strong federal government. Many of Madison's ideas were integrated into the Constitution, and he helped compaign for the document. Madison joined John Jay and Alexander Hamilton in writing The Federalist Papers. Madison secured a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1789. Madison worked tirelessly against Alexander Hamilton and George Washington until he retired in 1797- but he couldn't get away from politics for long. In 1801, Madison became his friend Jefferson's secretary of state. Madison campaigned for the Embargo Act of 1807, when it became clear that the issue between France, Britain, and the U.S. could not be solved by diplomatic efforts. Madison won the 1808 presidential election with a huge lead. Throughout his presidency, the country had many conflicts: The Embargo Act, trouble with "War Hawks", the War of 1812, etc. Madison left office in 1817, and created the University of Virginia; with the help of Thomas Jefferson. Madison died on June 28, 1836, at Montpelier. His last message to the people of the United States was to be recieved right after his death (just as he had previously arranged). Madison wrote, "The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened; and the disguised one, as the Serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into Paradise."
Description
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Skin tone: White
Height: 5'4''
Overall: Short, thin, average
Eye Color: Blue
Skin tone: White
Height: 5'4''
Overall: Short, thin, average
Quotes
"The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open enemy to it be regarded as a Pandora with her box opened; and the disguised one, as the Serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into Paradise."
“The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.”
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.”
“Philosophy is common sense with big words.”
“The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States composing the respective states, who alone had the right .”
“The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted.”
“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries.”
“Philosophy is common sense with big words.”
“The Constitution of the United States was created by the people of the United States composing the respective states, who alone had the right .”
From:
The Generation