The United States president preserves, protects, and defends the U.S. Constitution. Each president's term influences events in America and around the world for years to come. This biography introduces young readers to the life of James Madison, beginning with his childhood in Port Conway, Virginia. Information about Madison's education at the College of New Jersey, or Princeton University, is discussed. In addition, his family and personal life, as well as his retirement years at Montpelier, during which he served as rector of the University of Virginia, is highlighted. Easy-to-read text details Madison's brief military service during the American Revolution and his political career on the Orange County Committee of Safety and at the Virginia Convention, where he helped write the Virginia Constitution, the Virginia legislature, the Virginia Council of State, the Continental Congress, the Annapolis Convention, the Constitutional Convention, the U.S. House of Representatives, where he sponsored the Bill of Rights, and as secretary of state under President Thomas Jefferson. Finally, students will explore key events from Democratic-Republican president Madison's administration, including the War of 1812, the Treaty of Ghent, ad the Hartford Convention. Beautiful graphics showcase the primary source documents and photographs. A timeline, fast facts, and sidebars help put essential information at students' fingertips. In addition, a quick-reference chart provides easy access to facts about every U.S. president. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.