Library of Congress
Loc: The James Madison Papers
A collection of letters, personal notes, and correspondences by James Madison. The documents date from 1723 to 1836 and describe the life as the man came to be known as the "Father of the Constitution",
University of Groningen
American History: Presidents: James Madison
Included are James Madison's two inaugural addresses, his State of the Nation speeches, as well as other writings related to the Constitution. Of particular interest is his speech of 1812.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
This lesson examines the legacy of the "philosopher statesman," James Madison. Madison combined the intellectual knowledge and creativity of the scholar with the practical savvy of the politician, a man of strong principles who also...
University of Virginia
University of Virginia Press: The Papers of James Madison
The papers of James Madison, plus a short biography, bibliography, and links to other sites. Site is detailed and comprehensive.
University of Groningen
American History: Presidents: James Madison: Proposed Amendments to Constitution
Text of James Madison's "Proposed Amendments to the Constitution," June 8, 1789. Madison states his reasons for the amendments in view of the anti-federalist feelings in many of the colonies. The proposal explains in Madison's own words...
Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute: James Madison
James Madison's slight stature and reserved personality gave little indication of his keen intellect and shrewd nature. No other Founder had as much influence in crafting, ratifying, and interpreting the United States Constitution and...
The White House
The White House: Presidents: James Madison
The official White House biography of James Madison, the father of the constitution.
Read Works
Read Works: u.s. Presidents James Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
A&E Television
History.com: American Presidents: James Madison
This easy-to-navigate site has James Madison's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.
Other
Potus: James Madison
Comprehensive facts about James Madison and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Madison
The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia provides an extensive biography on the life of James Madison. Provides information about his life before and after the presidency as well as his policies on foreign and domestic...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: James Madison and Executive Power
James Madison has been called the "Father of the Constitution". His ideas have shaped the role of our government, the role of political parties, the Bill of Rights and more. This lesson offers extensive background, critical thinking...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: James Madison
A brief biography of James Madison. Find out why James Madison was called the father of the constitution. Learn how his life affected the United States. (In Spanish)
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: James Madison to George Washington
The original text of a letter from James Madison to George Washington discussing his ideas for a new national government that were to soon be presented to the Constitutional Convention as the Virginia Plan.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: George Washington to James Madison, 1787
Read George Washington's observations of the delegates, particularly the Anti-Federalists, at the Constitutional Convention, and the objections the opposition presented, which Washington cites in the letter. View an image of the original...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: James Madison: From Father of the Constitution to President
In this Curriculum Unit, young scholars will consider "James Madison: From Father of the Constitution to President" in 4 Lessons. The unit also includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Read Works
Read Works: American Government James Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage contains biographical information on "Father of the United States Constitution" and former United States President, James Madison. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece...
Cato Institute
James Madison's Vision of Liberty [Pdf]
An article by the CATO institute about James Madison's vision for his writing and contribution for the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Includes information on his views of a limited government for citizens' rights.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: Age of Jefferson and Madison
[Free Registration/Login Required] After a brief description of Thomas Jefferson's and James Madison's contributions to the early ideology and government of the new United States in their authorship of the Declaration of Independence and...
Other
Touro Law Center: William Marbury vs. James Madison
Transcript of the landmark court case that established the constitutional principle of judicial review. Judicial review is the concept that the federal judiciary has final power as to whether an act of the Congress or the Executive...
Yale University
Avalon Project: Madison Debates
Read online from James Madison's report of William Patterson's proposal of the New Jersey Plan at the Federal Convention, 1787. Link to related document: Articles of Confederation as related specifically to each proposal in the New...
University of Chicago
The Founders' Constitution: Deficiencies of the Confederation
The original text of a 1787 article in which James Madison discusses the failures of the Articles of Confederation. An interesting look at the problems with the states and with foreign countries.
Library of Congress
Loc: Madison's Treasures
Documents presented here relate to two seminal events in which Madison played a major role: the drafting and ratification of the Constitution of the United States (1787-1788) and the introduction (1789) in the First Federal Congress of...