Gov. George Madison
Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
Gov. George Madison (1763-1816). A youthful Rev. War. soldier from Va., Madison was appointed auditor of Ky. public accounts by Governor Shelby; served some 20 years. His heroic service in the War of 1812 helped propel him to governorship, 1816; died shortly after taking office. Lt. Gov. Slaughter finished term of first Ky. gov. to die in office. Madison is buried in the state section of the Frankfort Cem.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
George Madison came to Kentucky as a young Virginian who had already soldiered in the Revolutionary War, and he spent roughly two decades as auditor of the state's public accounts after his appointment by Governor Isaac Shelby. Distinguished service in the War of 1812 lifted him to popularity, and in 1816 Kentuckians elected him governor. He died only weeks after taking office—the first Kentucky governor to die in office—and Lieutenant Governor Gabriel Slaughter completed the term. Madison rests in the state section of the Frankfort Cemetery.
Why it matters
Madison's career links Revolutionary service, early state administration, and the War of 1812 that forged a generation of frontier-state leaders, and his death set an early precedent for gubernatorial succession in Kentucky.
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Related people
- · George Madison
- · Isaac Shelby
- · Gabriel Slaughter
Themes & tags
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