James Madison, Jr. (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was an American statesman,  diplomat, expansionist, philosopher and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He co-wrote The Federalist Papers, co-founded the Democratic-Republican Party, and served as the fifth United States secretary of State from 1801 to 1809. Madison succeeded Jefferson with a victory in the 1808 presidential election. After diplomatic protests and a trade embargo failed to end British attacks against American shipping, he led the United States into the War of 1812. From then on James Madison's theories would advance the rights of happiness of man, and his most active efforts would serve devotedly the cause of civil and political liberty.After returning to Montpelier, without a chosen career, Madison served as a tutor to his younger siblings. Madison began to study law books on his own in 1773. The British Crown, however, declined to grant the British-American colonies representation in Parliament or independence, after aiding the colonists fight the costly French and Indian War.