Who drafted the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Jefferson was chosen by the Continental Congress to be the principal author due to his eloquent writing style and strong ideas about liberty and government. The document was a formal statement declaring the thirteen American colonies free from British rule, and it articulated the philosophical underpinnings of this new nation, including concepts of individual rights and government by consent.

While other figures played significant roles in the American Revolution and the formation of the new government, such as George Washington in a military capacity and James Madison in constitutional debates, it was Jefferson's words that resonated in the Declaration, capturing the spirit of the time and influencing future democratic principles. Benjamin Franklin, although a key figure in early American history and a contributor to the revolutionary cause, was not the primary author of the Declaration but rather served as a contributing member of the committee that oversaw its creation.