Madison as Fourth President

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States serving from 1809-1817. Despite Madison's achievements during his public life and his popularity as President, particularly at the close of his last term, historians in the past have belittled his work as president. Recent scholars though have pointed to his handling of the War of 1812 and his foreign policies as shining achievements. His belief in the constitutional form of government, in which he played such an important role in creating for the United States, and his ability to fight a war while at the same time upholding the republican virtues and rights of the citizens that he so cherished, are seen as important benchmarks in presidential history.