James Madison Porter (January 6, 1793 – November 11, 1862) served as the 18th United States Secretary of War and a founder of Lafayette College.

Porter began his career studying law in 1809 and later became a clerk in the prothonotary's office in an effort to manage a volunteer militia company at Fort Mifflin.

He was a professor of jurisprudence and political economy at Lafayette College (1837-1852), a judge of the twelfth judicial district (1839), ad interim U.S. Secretary of War under President John Tyler (1843), and was elected as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives[1] in 1849.

James and his older brother, Judge Robert Porter, were home schooled during their early years and later attended Norristown Academy to continue their adolescent education.

Porter began his military career in 1809 as an office clerk at the request of his father, who served as the Surveyor General of Pennsylvania at the time.

[2] His military service ceased upon his arrival in Easton, Pennsylvania in 1818,[2] but resumed in 1843 when President John Tyler appointed him Secretary of War.

President Tyler had offended the Whigs with his independent nomination and upon hearing of the Senate's action, Porter immediately resigned his commission and returned to Easton.

[4] Although primarily remembered for his political and educational achievements, James Madison Porter had a successful track record in business as well.

Though not elected presiding officer, his role as chairman of the Committee on the Bill of Rights put him in a position to express his opinions.

In the same year, David appointed James as President Judge for the state district of Dauphin, Schuylkill and Lebanon counties.

A recess appointment to the office of Secretary of War, Porter was never confirmed by the Senate, receiving only three favorable votes.

[10] After serving in Washington, D.C. under President Tyler for eleven months as Secretary of War, Porter was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1849.

From 1853 to 1855, he served as President Judge of the twenty-second judicial district that included Wayne, Pike, Monroe and Carbon counties.

At the meeting, led by Porter, the assembly discussed the ability for a college to thrive in Easton, saying that, "It was emphasized that the academy, which had undertaken only secondary education, had failed because it was dependent purely on local patronage and was subject to all the whims and prejudices of the neighborhood, whereas an institution of higher learning would attract students from a wide area and would therefore be independent of these local factors".

[13] Porter emphasized the importance of teaching military science to prepare young men for war and inspire leadership.

Soon after, Porter, along with assembly members Joel Jones and Jacob Wagener, drafted a charter for the college to be sent for legislative approval.

He stated that, "it may be wise and salutary, and perhaps it may essentially aid us in arriving at sound and correct conclusions, to inquire into the origin, progress, uses and tendencies of corporations.

Towards the end of his speech, Porter stated that the convention should mark his words that, "If ever our republic fails, it will be by the destruction of the confidence of our citizens in the security of their individual rights.

... the adoption of the resolution to sever the cord that bound us to Britain – The Declaration of Independence – the toil, the blood, the labor and the treasure expended in the consummation of our revolution – the enduring and devoted patriotism that amid all the gloom and despondency of its worst periods bore up our citizens under adversity.

[15] Porter continued with his address by stating that ignorant and uneducated individuals can never be "free"[15] (referring to American freedom) and that an educated people will never be enslaved to an oppressive government.

Porter then moved his speech forward by speaking about the influence of other works on the intellectual stimulation of mankind, "But the influence which Letters, originating in Egypt and thence introduced to Greece, Italy and the rest of the world, have exercised and are continuing to exercise over the habits, manners and destinies of mankind ..."[16] Porter believed that a society that had been educated entirely, without an educated "elite," is a society that is commended by all the motives of piety, morality, and patriotism.

He used the example of the early New England settlers and their union on the soil of America to further his point "... at once presented the singular phenomenon of a society containing neither lords nor common people, neither rich nor poor ...

Porter began then final portions of his address by further stressing the importance of general education, specifically in the state of Pennsylvania.

"[16] The quest for universal education for the people of early Pennsylvania was an undertaking that Porter gave great respect.