The seven key Founding Fathers were George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The seven key "Founding Fathers" were either the "Signers of the Declaration of Independence" or the "Framers of the Constitution". James Madison did not sign the Declaration of Independence, he was considered a Founding Father due to his role in framing the Constitution. James Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution” and author of the United States Bill of Rights.

Fact 1: James was born on March 16, 1751

Fact 2: James was born at at Belle Grove Plantation in Port Conway, King George, Virginia. His family and friends called him "Jemmie." He was the oldest of twelve children

Fact 3: His father, James Madison, Sr. (1723–1801), was a tobacco planter and James inherited the family's plantation known as Montpelier, and owned hundreds of slaves

Fact 4: James was educated by home tutors and at Princeton University

Fact 5: James Madison took part in the War for Independence (1775-83)

Fact 6: 1776: The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, by the congressional representatives of the 13 Colonies of Colonial America. James Madison was not a prominent political figure during the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and was not a signatory of this famous document.

Fact 7: The colonies were advised by Congress to create their own State Constitutions

Fact 8: He served in the Virginia state legislature (1776–79) and to the to the Virginia House of Delegates, serving from 1784 to 1786

Fact 9: Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation was started in mid 1776 and completed in 1781. The Articles of Confederation was an agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. On March 4, 1789, the Articles were replaced with the U.S. Constitution

Fact 10: The Articles of Confederation was completed in 1781 and was an agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution

Fact 11: In 1787 he wrote a proposal that formed the basis of the American Constitution and advocated broadening the power of the central government.

Fact 12: From 1789 to 1797 he was a member of the House of Representatives. On March 4, 1789, the Articles of Confederation were replaced with the U.S. Constitution

Fact 13: On June 8, 1789, Madison introduced his Bill of Rights

Fact 14: After first supporting the Federalists, James Madison later joined the Republicans and headed their right wing in Congress.

Fact 15: On September 15, 1794 James Madison married Dolley Payne Todd and they had one son

Fact 16: His friendship with Thomas Jefferson led to his appointment as secretary of state in 1801. From 1801 to 1809 he served as secretary of state in the administration of Thomas Jefferson.

Fact 17: In 1809, Madison succeeded Thomas Jefferson as president, defeating Charles C. Pinckney. Madison was re-elected in 1812

Fact 18: During his presidency he led the US against the British during War of 1812

Fact 19: He ended his term of Presidency in 1817 and retired to his home in Virginia

Fact 20: He died on June 28, 1836 in Montpelier, Virginia