James Madison and the Brink of National Ruin Sign up for exclusive updates The Miller Center is a nonpartisan institute that seeks to provide critical insights for the nation’s governance challenges. Alan Taylor April 16, 2014 3:30PM - 5:00PM (EDT) Alan Taylor ALAN TAYLOR is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor at the University of Virginia. His books include William Cooper's Town: Power and Persuasion on the Frontier of the Early Republic and The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies. William Cooper’s Town won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize, in addition to the Bancroft and Beveridge prizes. He is a contributing editor for The New Republic. This event is part of… Historical Presidency: The 2017 Historical Presidency series will examine the transition from the campaign trail to the Oval Office and executive leadership during a president’s crucial first year. Learn more in the Historical Presidency brochure (PDF). More Events →