Presidential Resources Online
James Madison 1809 - 1817
James Madison was born in 1751 to a Virginia planter
family, and as a young man he attended the College of New Jersey (Princeton)
where he became well versed in a variety of subjects. Madison served
as one of the youngest members of the Continental Congress in 1776, and
was later a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, where he played a
leading role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
In the 1790's Madison became a leading member of the Democratic-Republicans,
a party which opposed a strong centralized state, and served as Thomas
Jefferson's Secretary of State. He was elected President in 1808
and served two terms. Much of Madison's presidency focused on the
deteriorating relations with Great Britain and France, and the War of 1812.
Madison sought to keep America out of the Napoleonic conflicts in Europe,
but trade relations between the two nations ultimately led Madison to support
non-intercourse with Great Britain. British impressment of American
seamen, as well as conflicts with Britain over western U.S. territory,
drove Madison to call for war in 1812. After his second term Madison
retired to his home, Montpelier, in Virginia. Madison died in 1836.
Online James Madison Resources:
A Colored Man's
Reminiscences of James Madison - A memoir on the President written by one of
James Madison's slaves.
The Dolley Madison
Project - Online text of Dolley Madison's letters.
The Federalist Papers
- Complete text of The Federalist Papers, of which Madison was a primary author.
James
Madison Discussion Port - Online Madison discussion board and live chat.
James Madison and
Slavery - An essay by Kenneth M. Clark regarding Madison's views of the
peculiar institution.
The James Madison Center -
Located at James Madison University, this site contains an extensive database of
Madison information, including writings, biographical information, and images.
The James Madison Museum -
Home page of the museum, which is located in Orange, Virginia. Contains a
variety of Madison links and information.
Montpelier - Website of Madison's
plantation in Virginia, now preserved as a national historic site.
The Papers of James Madison - Site
of the Madison editorial project, which is located at The University of
Virginia.
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