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By
Chester Harding, circa 1829/30. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian
Institution |
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Fourth President, 1809-1817
Nicknamed "The Father of the Constitution" for his work on the document,
James Madison was also a framer of the Bill of Rights, the first ten
amendments to the Constitution. After eight years as secretary of
state under Jefferson, Madison and his popular wife Dolley moved into
the White House. In 1812, Madison reluctantly asked Congress to declare
war on Britain; this unpopular decision led to the British invasion
and burning of Washington two years later. If not for General Andrew
Jackson's brilliant victory over the British at the Battle of New
Orleans in 1815, "Mr. Madison's War" might be all the fourth President
is remembered for. |
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