Words We Need to Remember

[PaigeBooth]

(02-18-2015 08:55 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I am not well-versed in the Federal era and the formation of our system of government, but I have often felt that James Madison was short-changed (pardon the pun related to his height!) in the teaching of American history. Maybe "over-shadowed" is a better term since he seems to take a back seat to the likes of Jefferson, Franklin, and other Founding Fathers.

You are absolutely correct about Madison taking a back seat, Laurie.

Often times when I am researching, I find Madison sometimes takes second place in popularity to other Founding Fathers such as (like you mentioned) Jefferson and Franklin. It is a shame Madison does not always receive the credit he deserves, as he was a very intelligent man, completing a four year course of study in just two years after enrolling at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1769.

It was at Princeton where Madison studied Greek, Latin, philosophy, ect. Madison was good friends with Thomas Jefferson after the two first met around 1776, and together they eventually established the Democrat-Republican Party. Throughout Madison's life, he would write the first drafts of the Constitution, write nine of the ten amendments that make up the Bill of Rights, co-write the Federalist Papers, and become fourth president of the United States in 1808. Indeed, Madison does not receive the credit he deserves.

And by the way, LOL about his height! Madison was just was five feet four inches tall.