Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. He was tasked with the responsibility of drafting the document, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Jefferson's writing articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from British rule, emphasizing fundamental principles such as individual rights and the notion that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. His eloquent expressions of liberty and democracy have made this document a cornerstone of American political philosophy.

While George Washington was a key leader in the Revolutionary War and later became the first President, he did not write the Declaration. James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," played a significant role in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution but was not involved in penning the Declaration. Benjamin Franklin, a prominent statesman and inventor, was instrumental in securing French support during the Revolution and contributed to the Declaration's drafting as a member of the committee, but he is not the primary author. Thus, the central authorship of the Declaration of Independence is accurately attributed to Thomas Jefferson.