The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Answers from the USCIS list

Give one of these answers. Words in light (parentheses) are optional.

• optional: (James) Madison
• optional: (Alexander) Hamilton
• optional: (John) Jay
• Publius

Our explanation

The Federalist Papers were 85 essays (short writings) printed in newspapers in 1787 and 1788. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote them. They all signed the essays with one shared name: “Publius.”

Remember it

Three writers, one shared fake name: Madison, Hamilton, and Jay all signed as “Publius.”

Source

USCIS 2025 Study Guide (M-1175) pp. 33–34. Quote: “The writers of the Federalist Papers were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.” … “signed the essays with the name ‘Publius’.”

• 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) (PDF, USCIS)

Last checked on September 29, 2026.

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Easy to mix up with

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