James Madison, Bishop

James Madison (1749-1812) was president of the College of William & Mary from 1777 to 1812, first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia, cousin of President James Madison. Bishop Madison attended the College of William and Mary, graduating with high honors in 1771. After studying with George Wythe, he was admitted to the bar but never chose to pursue a legal career. Instead, in 1773, he was elected professor of natural philosophy and mathematics at the college. After a brief stint in England to further his studies and seek ordination to the ministry of the Church of England, he returned to Williamsburg and his position as William and Mary professor. In 1777, the Board of Visitors elected him president of the college, a position he would hold until his death. Two years later, he worked with then-governor and Board of Visitors member, Thomas Jefferson, to create the position of Professor of Law and Police. Following the Revolution, Madison played an instrumental role in the reorganization of the Episcopal Church in Virginia and was elected bishop in 1790. Madison died on March 6, 1812 and was buried in the chapel at the College of William & Mary.