Profile of the Day: President James Madison

James Madison, the fourth President of the United States of America, was born on this day, March 16, 1751.

Image: James Madison / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution CC0

Madison was born at the Belle Grove Plantation near Port Conway, Virginia to a prominent slaving-owning family. He was the eldest of twelve children.

One of America’s Founding Fathers, Madison was instrumental in drafting the U.S. Constitution and laid the foundation for the Bill of Rights. He became known as the “Father of the Constitution” for his contributions. Under Thomas Jefferson’s administration, Madison served as Secretary of State and supervised the Luisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the nation. In 1809, Madison was elected the fourth President of the United States and served two terms.

Madison died on June 28, 1836 at the age of 85.

Explore President James Madison’s family tree and discover how you’re related to the “Father of the Constitution.”

View James Madison’s Geni Profile