An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church

Madison, James

(Aug. 27, 1749-Mar. 6, 1812). The first Bishop of Virginia. He was born in Staunton, Virginia. Madison graduated from William and Mary College in 1771 and studied law for two years before becoming professor of natural philosophy and mathematics at William and Mary in 1773. During the American Revolution he supported the Patriots. He studied theology on his own. Madison went to England where he was ordained deacon on Sept. 29, 1775, and priest on Oct. 1, 1775. Upon his return to the United States, he served as president of William and Mary College from 1777 until his death. On Sept. 19, 1790, Madison was consecrated at Lambeth Palace, the last bishop of the Episcopal Church to be consecrated abroad. He died in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.