Born in Port Conway, Virginia, James Madison was educated at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). After completing his studies, he returned to Virginia and began a career in politics. In 1776 he was elected to the Virginia state legislature, where he served until 1780 and again from 1784 to 1786. In 1787 he served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and wrote the plan that became the basis for the U.S. Constitution. Madison joined Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in writing the Federalist Papers. He served as a member of Congress between 1789 and 1797. There he sponsored the Bill of Rights and organized the Democratic-Republican Party with Thomas Jefferson. During Jefferson’s presidency, Madison served as secretary of state as the nation drew close to war with Great Britain. Madison was elected president in 1808, serving from 1809 to 1817. During his presidency, he led the nation through the War of 1812. He also approved the charter of the Second Bank of the United States and put in place a system of protective tariffs. From 1826 until his death, he served as head of the University of Virginia.
