When he was 18 he entered college. He studied hard and finished college in two years instead of three.
After he graduated, he didn't know what he wanted to do. He could go back to the family plantation and farm, or he could become a minister. He thought about becoming a lawyer. He would just keep studying.
He decided to help in the government. He served in the Continental Congress. Some say that without James Madison, the Constitution* would not have been written. He is called the Father of the Constitution.
He had studied a lot and taken a lot of notes. When the men met to talk about a constitution, Madison spoke 161 times. He knew about every subject being discussed.
He was elected president in 1809. His wife Dolley enjoyed entertaining in the White House. It is said she had a smile and a pleasant word for everyone.
After he retired from being the president, he and Dolley returned to Montpelier, the family estate. He died there in 1836. His wife then returned to Washington and lived there for the last 13 years of her life.
This biography by Patsy Stevens, a retired teacher, was written in 2001.
The Making of the Constitution and the Foundation of the U.S. Legal System and Government written by Aaron Schulman and Sylvia Fraley
Part 1Part 2 Part 3
A frequent question: 
