James Madison

It's the birthday of the U.S. president described by novelist Washington Irving as "a withered little apple-john": James Madison, born near Port Conway, Virginia (1751). He attended what is now Princeton University and graduated as the colonies were on the brink of revolution. Back home in Virginia, he served in state politics: as a delegate at to the Virginia Convention, in the House of Delegates, and the Council of State. He suffered from poor health, including epileptic-like seizures, so he never served in the military. At the age of 29, Madison became the youngest member of the Continental Congress. He was 5-foot-6 and weighed barely 100 lbs., a quiet man who worked tirelessly, and was the best prepared for every meeting. Madison believed in a strong central government, and he was one of the main drafters of the Constitution. The next step was to convince the states to ratify it, which was not easy in his home state. At the Virginia Ratification Convention, Madison faced off against Patrick Henry. Henry was a great orator, and gave passionate, soaring speeches about the dangers of the Constitution. But Madison went through the Constitution clause by clause, armed with facts and research, and although he was soft-spoken and no great speaker, he carried the day.

In 1789, Madison was elected to the new House of Representatives in the first U.S. Congress. He was asked to write Washington's inaugural address, the House's reply to the speech, and Washington's reply to both chambers of Congress. He dominated policy-making in the House, including drafting and introducing the Bill of Rights. One legislator wrote: "He has astonished Mankind, and has by means perfectly constitutional become almost a Dictator." Madison served as Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson, was elected president in 1808, served two terms, and then retired with his wife to his home in Virginia. He lived to the age of 85 and died one morning eating breakfast in bed.

He wrote to Jefferson: "We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us. Our successors will have an easier task. And by degrees the way will become smooth, short and certain."