Madison, James (Administration of)

James Madison (1751–1836) began his political career and influence on American history as an early Virginian politician, having represented Virginia as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Madison, author of the Federalist Papers, was an advocate of a strong national government. In debates, he emphasized that the Constitution's protections, particularly government as a system of checks, balances, and separated powers, would prevent tyrannical government and maintain order. While he is most widely famed for his substantial contributions to the framing ...