The New International Encyclopædia/Madison, James (bishop)

MADISON, James (1749-1812). First Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Virginia. He was born near Port Republic, Va., and graduated at William and Mary College in 1772. He was admitted to the bar, but gave up the profession of the law for the ministry. In 1773 he became professor of natural philosophy in William and Mary. In 1775 he visited England and was made a priest in that country. Two years later he was chosen president of William and Mary. He was consecrated Bishop of Virginia in 1790 by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the chapel of Lambeth Palace, and thereafter performed the duties of his episcopal office in addition to those of college president and professor. He published sermons and occasional papers and a Eulogy on Washington (1800), and prepared a map of Virginia.