Short, balding, and soft-spoken, James Madison was overshadowed by many of America’s other, more dynamic Founding Fathers. His list of accomplishments ran long, however: outlining what became the Constitution, co-writing the Federalist Papers, creating the Bill of Rights, forming America’s first political party, supervising the Louisiana Purchase, and serving as the country’s first wartime president (during the War of 1812).
In a discussion of his new book, Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America, author David O. Stewart reveals a rare leader who artfully collaborated with others toward common goals while worrying little about who got the credit.
The event is part of the Hail to the Chiefs series co-presented by the Truman Library Institute and made possible by grants from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Legacy Fund.
(Kansas City, Missouri) - Short, balding, and soft-spoken, James Madison was overshadowed by many of America's other, more dynamic Founding Fathers. His list of accomplishments ran long, however: outlining what became the Constitution, co-writing the Federalist Papers, creating the Bill of Rights, forming one of America's first political parties, supervising the Louisiana Purchase, and serving as the country's first wartime president (during the War of 1812).
In a discussion of his new book Madison's Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America on Thursday, March 12, 2015, author David O. Stewart reveals a rare leader who artfully collaborated with others toward common goals while worrying little about who got the credit.
The event, part of the Library's Hail to the Chiefs series, begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St.
Stewart makes a case that Madison was perhaps the most significant framer of the new nation, working toward his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic in concert with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe. It was Madison's final partnership, with wife Dolley, that helped him escape his natural shyness and sustained him through his political rise, presidency, and fruitful retirement.
Stewart practiced law for many years before writing about history, and is president of the online Washington Independent Review of Books. He has spoken at the Library on three previous occasions, most recently in February 2014 about his book The Lincoln Deception, a historical mystery about the John Wilkes Booth conspiracy.
The Hail to the Chiefs series is co-presented by the Truman Library Institute and made possible by generous grants from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
A 6 p.m. reception precedes the event. Admission is free. RSVP at kclibrary.org or call 816.701.3407.