Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. As a member of the Continental Congress in 1776, he was tasked with drafting the document that would formally declare the American colonies' intention to separate from British rule. Jefferson's eloquent articulation of the colonies' grievances and his philosophical arguments regarding individual rights and government responsibility have made this document one of the most significant texts in American history.

While Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams were indeed influential figures in the founding of the United States, they did not serve as the principal author of the Declaration. Franklin was a prominent diplomat and statesman, Washington was the commander of the Continental Army, and Adams played a crucial role in advocating for independence and supporting Jefferson in the drafting process, but it was Jefferson's vision and wordsmithing that set the tone for America's assertion of sovereignty.