The 4th U.S. President

James Madison

Born: March 16, 1751

Died: June 28, 1836

Term in Office: 1809-1817

This guy is known as the Architect of the Constitution. (And don't we wish we had him around to tell us exactly what he meant when our Supreme Court justices are arguing over interpretation of that document; be it 'originalism' or 'textualism' or whatever 'ism' to which you subscribe)

Evidently, even though he wrote the Bill of Rights -- the first ten amendments to the Constitution -- he wasn't too crazy about them, thinking them an unnecessary 'nauseous project.' (Again, don't we wish he had taken more time in spelling out exactly what he meant with that pesky second amendment and the whole 'right to arm bears' and such)

He was a small dude, standing at 5'4", the shortest man to occupy the Oval Office. Though he was a quiet man -- to the point of being considered antisocial -- he was known for a witty, dry sense of humor. His wife Dolley (no, not the 'Dolly Madison' of cupcake fame), unlike her husband, was famously outgoing. She is credited with defining the First Lady's role in presidential administrations, redecorating the mansion, sponsoring charitable causes, and yes, saving that portrait of George Washington during the War of 1812.

Sickly through his childhood and susceptible to multiple illnesses as an adult, Madison nevertheless lived to the age of 85. On his deathbed his doctors tried to talk him into stimulants which they felt would give him an extra few days of life... hoping they could get him to July 4th, an anniversary that took Jefferson and Adams years earlier. He refused and died a week shy of the country's birthday.

An interesting side note: one of his slaves (<sigh> yes, he was one of the slave-holding presidents), Paul Jennings, who was a boy when he accompanied Madison to the White House, bought his freedom after Madison's death and subsequently wrote what is considered the first memoir of anyone who lived in that house.

Peace to all, and go read that Bill of Rights.

Thanks to www.history.com and www.mentalfloss.com for information during my research of this dude.