James Madison was born on March 16, 1751. He was active in Virginia politics and when the US Congress was established, he served in the House until President Jefferson appointed him Secretary of State in 1801.

Madison succeeded Jefferson as President in 1809 and served two terms. His wife,the former Dolley Payne Todd, was noted for having brought a sparkling social life-style to the White House. Though the war of 1812 against the British took place during his administration, Madison is not considered to have been highly competent in his management of the war; and the British actually took the capital city in 1814 and Madison fled to Virginia.

Though he had resisted Hamiltonian policies earlier in his life, he eventually signed bills to establish a Bank of the United States and to impose higher protective tariffs.
On completion of his terms of office, he retired to Virginia and died in 1836.

James Madison 1751 - 1836 RIP

(James Madison appears in my family tree where he is listed as "Spouse of third cousin, six times removed.)