Madison

The capital of Wisconsin, in the south-central part of the state west of Milwaukee. It was chosen as territorial capital in 1836 and settled the same year. The main branch of the University of Wisconsin (founded 1848) is here. Population: 223,000.

First Lady of the United States (1809-1817) as the wife of President James Madison. She earlier served as White House hostess for the widowed Thomas Jefferson. During the British invasion of Washington, D.C. (1814), she carried government papers and a portrait of George Washington to safety.

The fourth President of the United States (1809-1817). A member of the Continental Congress (1780-1783) and the Constitutional Convention (1787), he strongly supported ratification of the Constitution and was a contributor to The Federalist Papers (1787-1788), which argued the effectiveness of the proposed constitution. His presidency was marked by the War of 1812.