Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, who was appointed by the Continental Congress to draft the document. Jefferson’s composition articulated the colonies’ reasons for seeking independence from British rule and emphasized Enlightenment ideals such as individual rights, liberty, and the social contract. His eloquent prose laid out the philosophical foundations for the new nation, making the document not only a formal declaration but also a profound statement of political belief.

While figures like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and John Adams played significant roles in the independence movement and the founding of the nation, they were not the principal authors of the Declaration. Franklin and Adams were part of the committee responsible for drafting the declaration and provided input, but it was Jefferson's words and vision that primarily shaped the final document.