BRIDGET'S GUIDE TO THE GREAT, NOT-S0-GREAT AND DOWNRIGHT ABOMINABLE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS

4) JAMES MADISON

President from 1809-17

Known as the father of the Bill of Rights

Staunch supporter of the right of American citizens to a civil jury trial

At 5'4", he is, to date, the shortest President. At 100 pounds, he also weighed less than the average teenage girl of the time.

His First Lady was the much-loved Dolley Madison whose favorite ice cream flavor was oyster.

 

In 1814, the British forces invaded and burned down Madison's White House but not before eating his dinner.

Up until 1945, the Treasury issued $5000 bills and Madison's face was on them.

Madison and previous president Thomas Jefferson were arrested together for the crime of taking a carriage ride in Vermont on a Sunday, which was against the law of that state.

On his deathbed, his last words were, "I always talk better lying down"