As someone with a deep interest in the history of the Constitution's drafting and ratification, I've always been puzzled by the lack of respect, or indeed attention, popular history has given to James Madison. The recent hubbub about the possibility of putting Ronald Reagan on the ten-dollar bill, or the dime, brought the point home again: Jefferson has his nickel (and the two-dollar bill), Hamilton has the ten-spot, Ben Franklin is on the hundred, and Washington is ubiquitous on the dollar bill and the quarter. But Madison is nowhere to be found (okay, he was on the five-thousand dollar bill, but you don't see those in your wallet every day). Was it because his presidency saw the British torch the White House? Was it because he (like John Adams, another frequently overlooked founder) was short?

Anyway, a commentary on Morning Edition yesterday put it in perspective. James Madison, you see, was George Harrison, "overshadowed by stronger personalities, yet ... essential to the mix.... The famous tract we call The Federalist No. 10 was the 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' of the eighteenth century." Yes. It all makes sense now.

Ben Franklin, in case you're wondering, was Ringo.

Posted by Jeff Cooper

Posted by: Lawrenkm at 10:43 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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