James Madison

James Madison (1751- ) was American born and belonged to a well off Virginian family owning about 100 slaves. He did important work developing the US Constitution. Throughout his life Madison, like some other Founding Fathers of the United States of America benefited from the work of slaves but somehow believed in democracy and freedom as well. Joseph Addison, David Hume, John Locke, Isaac Newton, and Voltaire influenced the young Madison.

Madison helped prepare the constitution for Virginia and included a clause safeguarding freedom of conscience. The importance of this was shown when in the 20th Century the Universal Declaration of Human Rights included freedom of conscience. Madison served in Virginia under Thomas Jefferson.

Madison felt a strong federal element was needed in the Constitution to get the states to cooperate. He hoped that different interests would counterbalance each other and lead to government in the public interest. Madison further played a part in the Bill of Rights. Later he became advisor to president George Washington.