James Madison - Biography.

James Madison - Biography. 4th president of the United States Birth March 16, 1751 Death June 28, 1836 Home State Virginia Party Democratic-Republican Terms In Office 1809-1813 1813-1817 Vice President George Clinton Elbridge Gerry Significant Acts Declared war on Great Britain, igniting the War of 1812 (1812-1815). Retreated from Washington, D.C., with the American army on August 1814 as the British attacked the city. Approved the Treaty of Ghent, which Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and Albert Gallatin negotiated to end the War of 1812. Career 1776 Elected delegate to the constitutional convention of Virginia. 1780-1783 Served as Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress. 1784-1786 Served as Virginia state assemblyman. 1789-1797 Served as U.S. representative from Virginia. 1801-1809 Served as secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson. 1809-1817 President of the United States. 1829 Became delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention. Did You Know At age 29, Madison was the youngest delegate at the Continental Congress. Both of Madison's vice presidents died in office. Madison is often referred to as 'father of the Constitution' for his influence on the nation's fundamental laws. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.