Presidential Biographies | Madison Administrations - Introduction

Introduction

James Madison of Virginia was considered the father of the U.S. Constitution. An early supporter of American independence and an advocate of religious tolerance and individual rights, he was one of the main authors of the Constitution. A flexible and powerful political thinker, Madison was willing to change his positions when necessary to achieve his overall vision of a United States balanced between the power of the individual, the states, and the federal government. Along with statesmen John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, he wrote The Federalist Papers, urging the ratification of the Constitution and the establishment of a strong national government. Yet he also helped to draft the Bill of Rights, to protect individual citizens from government coercion. As president, Madison led the nation through the controversial War of 1812 with Great Britain.