James Madison, Jr. was born on March 16, 1751 (March 5, 1750, Old Style) at Belle Grove Plantation near Port Conway in the Colony of Virginia, to James Madison Sr.and Nelly Conway Madison. His family had lived in Virginia since the

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In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which taxed the American colonists to help fund the increasing costs of administrating

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Calling a convention
As a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Madison continued to advocate for religious freedom, and, along with Jefferson, drafted the

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At a height of only five feet, four inches (163 cm), and never weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kg), Madison became the most diminutive president.

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Despite lacking foreign policy experience, Madison was appointed as the secretary of state by Jefferson. Along with Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin, Madison became one of the two major influences in Jefferson's Cabinet. As the ascent of Napoleonin

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Taking office and cabinet
On March 4, 1809, Madison took the oath of office and was inaugurated president. Unlike Jefferson, who

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Election to Congress
After Virginia ratified the constitution, Madison returned to New York and resumed his duties in the Congress of the Confederation. On

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