James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Liberty & Learning - Index

students’ lives. We have awarded five scholarships by the time of this printing.
The recipients are Kimberly Burdette (2005), Melody Mersiovski (2006), Jessica
Arms (2007), Shannon Thatcher (2008), and Michelle Ritner (2008). All
financial proceeds that result from subsequent sales of Liberty and Learning will
be used to sustain and endow this important scholarship.
Since its inception in 2005, the 1787 Society has provided support and guidance
to the James Madison Center. Several of its members have been particularly helpful
in the publication and distribution of this book, including Tommy Bluestein,
Caitlin Tracy, Hillary Back, Bethany Riley, Michelle Pillor, Alyssa Johnson, John
Sutter, Elizabeth Faust-Shucker, Chelsea Whitley, Casey Boutwell, and Lawrence
Lewis. Dan Horton and Hillary Back, two of the students from our History 316
class, “The Life and Times of James Madison 1751-1836,” provided additional
research on Madison and slavery and on the restoration of Montpelier.
At Montpelier, James Madison’s home in Orange County, we would like to
acknowledge the help and guidance provided by the staff, particularly the expertise
of Beth Taylor, the director of education. We also had the wonderful opportunity
to discuss Dolley Madison’s son with Ann Miller, who has done an enormous
amount of research on the elusive and habitually intoxicated Payne Todd.
We had the opportunity to visit his grave at Congressional Cemetery in Washington,
D.C., thanks to Joyce Palmer, the chairman of education and outreach.
She also allowed us to view and photograph the original interment records for
both Payne and Dolley (whose remains were held in the Public and Causten
vaults for eight years after her death in 1849). Matt Fulgham, the Assistant
Director of Legislative Affairs at the National Archives, was extremely helpful
in providing access to many Madison-era primary sources.
Dr. Dorothy Boyd-Rush, professor of history at JMU, has been extremely helpful
in conducting research and in assisting with the indexing of this work. We
are also particularly appreciative for the fine work done by Shay Cochrane, public
relations specialist for the James Madison Center. She is a professional photographer,
she has done yeoman’s work in compiling, editing, and archiving the
photos and illustrations for Liberty and Learning. She has also been indispensable
in the editing and production of this book. Mishay Whitsitt, graduate assistant
for the James Madison Center, has likewise been extremely helpful throughout
this entire process.
We have been fortunate to work with many outstanding professionals, including
writer Martha Graham, Pam Brock, who has served as the book’s editor, and
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