The Federalist Papers: The Original 1787–88 Essays Defending the U.S. Constitution

Between October 1787 and August 1788, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay published eighty-five essays under the shared pen name "Publius," arguing New Yorkers into ratifying the newly drafted U.S. Constitution. What began as political persuasion became something larger: a systematic explanation of separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism that still anchors constitutional interpretation today.

This edition presents the complete, original text of all 85 papers — including Federalist No. 10 on the dangers of faction, Federalist No. 51 on checks and balances, and Federalist No. 78 on judicial review — exactly as Publius wrote them, without paraphrase or modernization.

Thomas Jefferson called the collection the best commentary on the principles of government ever written. Generations of judges, historians, and students have returned to these essays whenever the Constitution's original meaning is in question.

Essential reading for students of American history, law, and political philosophy — and for any citizen who wants to understand the founding arguments in the Founders' own words.