James Madison

America’s fourth President:

James Madison (1809-1817), a Virginian, believed in the importance of having a United States Constitution. He kept detailed notes during the Constitutional Convention. His skills at compromise helped the delegates reach agreement during the difficult process of writing the Constitution of the United States of America. He made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay on September 17, 1787. In later years, he was referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.”