James Madison: The Quiet Founder Who Built a Nation

On this episode of Our American Stories, James Madison rarely chased the spotlight, and he knew his character flaws. He was short, balding, awkward, and didn’t always play well in group settings. Yet despite his stature, his big ideas built and shaped America. He drafted the Bill of Rights, argued for ratification in The Federalist Papers, and turned quiet conviction into lasting policy through partnerships with Washington, Jefferson, and Monroe. His marriage to Dolley Madison added another kind of influence—one that worked in rooms where politics met people. David O. Stewart, author of Madison's Gift, shares the story of how Madison earned the title “Father of the Constitution” and how his humility often obscured his achievements. We'd like to thank the U.S. National Archives for granting us access to this audio.

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