Who is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution?

James Madison is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution due to his pivotal role in the drafting of the document and his passionate advocacy for its ratification. Madison's contributions included not only authoring many of the foundational ideas embedded in the Constitution, but also his work in the Federalist Papers, a series of essays that defended and explained the new framework of government to the public. His understanding of political theory and the need for a system of checks and balances informed the structure of the government as envisioned in the Constitution.

Madison's influence was critical during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he proposed the Virginia Plan, which laid out a strong national government with a system of representation based on population. Additionally, his commitment to creating a Bill of Rights demonstrated his dedication to safeguarding individual liberties under the new government framework, further solidifying his legacy in the founding of the United States.