Born: 16 March 1751 · Died: 28 June 1836 · Age: 85
Father of the US Constitution and author of the Bill of Rights, who became the fourth President of the United States
Did you know?Standing at five feet four inches tall, he is the shortest person ever to have served as President of the United States.
Quick facts
Date of birth16 March 1751
Date of death28 June 1836
Age at death85
Cause of deathHeart failure
NationalityAmerican
BirthplacePort Conway, United States
Occupationpolitician, writer, diplomat
Editor's Take:
Madison is often called the 'Father of the Constitution' because so much of America's founding framework came from his careful planning. He arrived at the 1787 Philadelphia convention with detailed proposals for a strong, balanced government, and his notes remain the best record of the debates. With Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, he wrote the Federalist Papers, persuading Americans to adopt the new system. He also drafted the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments that protect freedoms such as speech and religion. As fourth president, he led the country through the War of 1812 against Britain.
Key Milestones
1787: Helps draft the Constitution in Philadelphia
1789: Proposes the Bill of Rights in Congress
1801: Becomes Secretary of State
1809: Becomes the 4th President
James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was a Founding Father and the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Before his presidency, Madison was a statesman and diplomat.
James Madison's birthday is March 16. He was born on March 16, 1751 in Port Conway, United States.
How old was James Madison when he died?
James Madison died on June 28, 1836, aged 85.
Who shares a birthday with James Madison?
Famous people who share James Madison's March 16 birthday include Richard Stallman, Sully Prudhomme, Georg Simon Ohm, Jens Stoltenberg and Francisco Pizarro.