Currently not on view
James Madison (1751–1836), Class of 1771
Jacob Cist, after Gilbert Stuart, American, 1755–1828, American, 1782–1825
PP252
Madison eschewed the traditional school of the Virginia elite, William and Mary, for Princeton, believing the climes of New Jersey would be better for his poor health. After graduating, he stayed to study Hebrew with President Witherspoon, this becoming the first “graduate student.” He became known as the “Father of the U.S. Constitution,” which was based heavily on the constitution he wrote for the State of Virginia. He also was a driving force behind the Bill of Rights and sponsored the Virginia Resolutions against the Alien and sedition Acts. He authored many of the Federalist Papers, served as Jefferson’s’ secretary of state and the President of the United States from 1808 to 1817. After retiring from public life, he became the first president of the newly formed Alumni Association of Nassau Hall in 1826, a post he held until his death.
Information
Title
James Madison (1751–1836), Class of 1771
Maker
Jacob Cist , after Gilbert Stuart, American, 1755–1828
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
sight: 72 x 59.8 cm (28 3/8 x 23 9/16 in.)
frame: 85.1 x 72.4 cm (33 1/2 x 28 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Princeton University, gift of Gilbert S. McClintock, Class of 1908
Object Number
PP252
Culture
Type
Subject
- George C. Groce and David H. Wallace, New York Historical Society's dictionary of artists in America, (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1957)., p. 127-128
- Peter Hastings Falk, ed., Who was who in American art, 1564-1975: 400 years of artists in America, (Madison, CT: Sound View Press, 1999)., p. 649
- Karl Kusserow et al., Inner sanctum: memory and meaning in Princeton’s Faculty Room at Nassau Hall, (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Art Museum, 2010)., p. 60, fig. 12 (illus.)
