Madison was born in Port Conway, Virginia. In his childhood, he grew up in Orange County, Virginia. He was the oldest out of twelve children. Only seven of his siblings survived to adulthood. His father, James, was a successful planter and he was an important figure in county affairs. Madison went to school in 1762. In 1769, he entered college in College of New Jersey. He studied Latin, Greek, science and philosophy. He graduated in 1771. he