The fourth U.S. president, James Madison believed in a robust yet balanced federal government and is known as the “Father of the Constitution.”

• James Madison Jr. was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and philosopher. A Founding Father, he served as the fourth President of the United States.
• Born: March 16, 1751, Belle Grove
• Died: June 28, 1836, James Madison’s Montpelier, Montpelier Station, VA
• Height: 5′ 4?
• Presidential term: March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
• Nicknames: Father of the Bill of Rights
• First president to have served in the United States House of Representatives
• First president to ask Congress for a Declaration of War.
• First president to serve as a war-time commander-in-chief.
• First president to have an Inaugural ball.
• First president to wear long trousers instead of knee breeches.
• First president to issue a pocket veto.
• First president to succeed another president without serving as vice president.
• First president to have the same vice president as his predecessor.
• First president to have a vice president die while in office.
• First president to have two vice presidents (George Clinton and Elbridge Gerry) die in office.
• First president to have a parent live throughout his presidency.