Professor Gary Rose Publishes Biography of James Madison

SHU scholar draws on decades of teaching to explore fourth president’s legacy as a model public servant

Sacred Heart University’s Gary L. Rose, professor of political science and scholar in residence, is celebrating the release of his latest book, James Madison, Public Servant: A Biography, published by Academica Press.

The book explores the life and legacy of James Madison, the nation’s fourth president, focusing on his devotion to public service and his pivotal role in crafting the U.S. Constitution. Rose, who has authored and edited 14 books on presidential politics, constitutional law and Connecticut government, said the project was a natural progression after decades of teaching constitutional law. He discussed his book and Madison’s contributions to the United States as a public servant and the “Father of the Constitution” during a Constitution Day event on Sacred Heart’s campus on September 16.

Rose had been working on the book for several years. “Because the country has become more polarized and because of the hatred I see in contemporary American politics, I realized it was important to finish this book and get it published to let readers understand how and why our country has been held together,” Rose said. “What keeps our country from going over the cliff is the U.S. Constitution. And that comes back to the efforts of James Madison, more than anyone else.”

“We are proud to have Dr. Gary Rose, a distinguished scholar in residence, as part of our Sacred Heart University community,” said Mark A. Beekey, dean of Sacred Heart’s College of Arts & Sciences. “His new biography, James Madison, Public Servant, reflects both his decades of scholarship and his deep commitment to understanding the foundations of American democracy. By examining Madison’s brilliance, pragmatism and complexities, Dr. Rose not only illuminates the life of the ‘Father of the Constitution,’ but also helps us see the enduring relevance of Madison’s struggles and compromises to the political challenges we face today.”

Rose argues that Madison, who staunchly believed in shared responsibility between the executive and legislative branches, is underrated as a president. “He knew that policy making was best when it was shared with Congress,” Rose said. “This was evident when he asked Congress to declare war against Britain in the War of 1812. He didn’t wage that war on his own but asked Congress to authorize it. He understood the importance of shared responsibility between branches, which in my view, merits respect.”

Rose also highlights Madison’s ability to balance principles with pragmatic compromise. “At the Constitutional Convention, he knew that compromises were necessary to keep his vision of a constitution alive,” Rose said, citing Madison’s support of the Connecticut Compromise and his eventual embrace of the Bill of Rights.

For the SHU professor, Madison remains a model of civic leadership. “I would hope that those who participate in government do so out of a desire to serve the common good as opposed to narrow and special interests,” Rose said. “All of his work was always aimed at benefiting the country as a whole. I would identify Madison as a model public servant.”

What Rose admires most about Madison is his intellectual grounding and rhetorical skill. “He was not only a visionary, but he was also a very studious and scholarly type of individual who could outdebate anyone,” Rose said. “His debating skills were essential for winning support for the Constitution. We don’t have political figures like that anymore.”