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James Madison was born at Port Conway, Virginia on March 16, 1751, the oldest of ten children born into planter aristocracy. He received his early education from his mother, tutors, and a private school, in 1771 he graduated from the College of New Jersey (which became Princeton) where he demonstrated special interest in government and the law. He stayed for a year of postgraduate study in theology considering the ministry. Undecided on a profession, Madison returned to his …

…as rector of the University of Virginia during the period 1826036. Writing newspaper articles defending the administration of Monroe, he also acted as his foreign policy adviser. Madison spoke out in support of mildly protective tarries, the National Bank, and, most importantly, the power of the union against nullification. Madison's health slowly declined, forcing him more and more to be a silent observer. He died June 28, 1836, the last survivor fo the founders of the American Republic.