William Cabell Rives (1793-1868) received his early political education from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Rives later wrote a three volume Madison biography, and he edited a four volume edition of Madison's papers. As a U.S. Senator from Virginia, Rives engaged in fierce debates in the 1830s and 1840s with Clay, Calhoun, and Webster. While serving as U.S. Minister to France, Rives witnessed the 1830 Paris Revolution. Lafayette sought his advice about forming a government in its aftermath. Hoping to spare his own country from similar bloodshed, Rives struggled to prevent secession and...