Marquis de Lafayette with Hilarie M. Hicks, Montpelier Senior Research Historian

Consider the Constitution

In this episode of Consider the Constitution, host Dr. Katie Crawford-Lackey is joined by Montpelier Senior Research Historian Hilarie M. Hicks for a conversation about the relationship between James Madison and the Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who became an icon of the American Revolution. The two men first met in 1784 and developed a deep friendship that was both politically advantageous and intellectually stimulating. They exchanged over 65 letters and their political philosophies are discussed in this episode. The podcast also touches on Madison's views on slavery and freedom of religion, and how these views influenced his drafting of the US Constitution. Lafayette's visit to the United States in 1824 and 1825, and his conversations with Madison during these visits, are also discussed.