James Madison was a prominent founding father and primarily known as the Father of the Constitution and fourth president of The United States . Establishing the Constitution earned him a faithful name among the delegates at The Constitutional Convention . Eventually achieving a position in the President’s cabinet, he increased publicity for the Republican party , founding it himself along with Thomas Jefferson . Jefferson’s success in office led Madison to become famous himself . He was nominated presidential candidate for the Republican Party in the election of 1808 and easily won . The eight following years would never be the same . His story began on March 16 , 1751 . He was born to successful planter and former colonel , James Madison …show more content…
Due to physical disadvantages such as height Madison opted out the option of joining the army , yet found his proper place as a delegate in the Virginia Legislature . As his public image was seen as being a protege of Thomas Jefferson , Madison spent his time at the conventions taking notes . As the American Revolution passed Madison further became a political theorist developing philosophies which would later forge his legacy . 1783 , marking the end of the American Revolution , Madison set out with the American Delegates to enact an official document stating the laws of the newly established country . The first result was the Articles of Confederation , of which Madison greatly opposed due to it conceiving of a weak federal government distributing the majority of power within the states . Madison , himself , set out to establish a new document with implementation of his own beliefs including those shared by the delegates at the Convention . Establishing the Constitution within time , Madison presented his work to the men at The Convention . With positive views the document was released to the public with an outcome of negative views . Citizens had felt as if the hadn’t devised rights for the general public for which was why they were upset . Madison then set out out to establish civil rights for the people of the United States . His end result was , what is known in modern day as “ The Bill of Rights .” The public’s approval was finally achieved and the ratification of the document was achieved as 12 of the 13 states had approved . Madison then went on the join forces with fellow politician Thomas Jefferson and form the Republican Party better known as the Democratic - Republican Party at the time . Being opposed by former ally , Alexander Hamilton , Madison seeked a higher position in government . Finally , the time came , Madison was elected within Jefferson’s presidential cabinet