Technically had two birth dates due to Gregorian calendar switch.

Survived smallpox scare and French & Indian War in 1760s.

Had access to more learning than usual through tutor.

Would have gone to William & Mary like Jefferson et al but wanted to avoid sick region and at-the-time low reputation.

Playfully engaged in “paper war” at College of New Jersey-Princeton with his Whig Society versus Cliosophians.

Read influential things in college and after re: resolution and Constitution; Christian emphasis on community and humanitarian ideals helped too.

Sickly growing up, though never seriously ill; had epileptic/hysteria-type thing post puberty (hypochondria and anxiety?)

Defended religious liberty after religious friends encountered resistance from Anglican establishment.

Elected in 1774 to county committee to enforce ban on British trade and call out traitors; targeted pastors too.

So radical post-college he suspected even Franklin of being a spy after returning from Europe.

Changed religion clause from toleration to equal and free exercise.

After 1776 Continental Congress, elected to Virginia state council.

Admired Patrick Henry, though annoyed by his willful neglect of legislative labor and detail.

Became BFF with Governor Jefferson on the Virginia council.

Engaged to a teen Catherine Floyd but she broke it off.

Skeptical of Articles of Confederation right away and tried to slowly adjust them.

Formed low opinion of Adams based on his churlish Paris dispatches.

Two factions formed: one for whom Revolution was culmination of career, and other, the beginning. Adamses and Lees vs. Madison and Jefferson et al.

Abhorred institution of slavery though wanted it gradually abolished.

Admired Lafayette but thought him vain; doctored own letters later in life to hide that.

Revised Virginia constitution with Jefferson in late 1780s; researched historical confederacies as research for future.

Sought middle ground between Randolph’s states rights and Washington’s federalism.

Had man-crush on Franklin.

An enlarged republic only defense against both tyranny and mob rule.

Weakness of Articles made more delegates friendly to Constitution but even Virginia delegates were divided on ratification.

In new government Madison tried to influence Washington on behaviors and custom toward republican simplicity.

Wrote Washington’s inaugural and subsequent speeches, setting tone and precedent.

“Essence of consent” was for government to not ignore or oppose the people’s will.

“We must not shut our eyes to the nature of man, not to the light of experience.”

Sought moderate position on proper mix of democracy and oligarchy.

Disagreed with Hamilton’s plan to federally assume states’ debts; would have benefited delinquent states and penalized those that sacrificed.

Hamilton’s plan caused Madison to shift away from strong federalism.

Washington’s declaration of impartiality at French revolution felt like betrayal of good faith to France.

Jefferson wanted to send conciliatory letter to Adams in 1796 but Madison didn’t send it for fear it would be used against him later.

Determined to retire in 1796: turned down congressional reelection and Virginia governor.

Married widow Dolley in 1794; she had married Quaker lawyer who along with most of her family died (and on the same day as her infant son) of yellow fever in 1793.

1800 Virginia report helped kill Sedition Act.

Louisiana Purchase fit republican ideals of expanded land for yeoman settlement.

By 1808 Madison and John Quincy Adams both ostracized from bases so worked together.

Clay and Calhoun led charge for war; Madison followed reluctantly.

Secretary of War Armstrong disobeyed orders and had generals write them instead.

Madison tasked Armstrong with fortifying DC against British; didn’t do it but Madison didn’t either—failure of leadership.

Republican principles didn’t begat strong crisis leadership due to its respect for legislative and citizen responsibility.

Jackson’s victory at New Orleans solidified hold on Mississippi River and Valley.

Dolley wanted to travel post-presidency, but Madison just wanted to go home and stay.

In favor of slave recolonization and against Missouri compromise because state didn’t decide slavery status for itself and he wanted slavery eventually abolished.