Secondary sourceBook1902

The Life of James Madison

Gaillard Hunt · 1902

A 1902 biography of James Madison written by historian Gaillard Hunt, who also edited Madison's writings.

This biography studies Madison's life in depth, drawing on his papers which the author also edited.

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Gaillard Hunt, The Life of James Madison. New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1902.

About this source

What it is

This is a full-length biography of James Madison written by Gaillard Hunt and published in 1902. Hunt also edited collections of Madison's own writings, giving him close familiarity with Madison's papers.

Why it matters

Written more than sixty years after Madison's death, this biography reflects how later historians interpreted his life and legacy using his own letters and papers as sources. It shows the growing interest in understanding Madison's role in shaping the Constitution and early American government.

Look closer

Why might an editor of someone's writings be well placed to write their biography?
How might a biography written decades later differ from accounts by Madison's contemporaries?
What choices does a biographer make about what to include or leave out?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Madison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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