Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson is recognized as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. His role as the principal draftsman of this foundational document was instrumental in articulating the colonies' intentions to separate from British rule and to express the principles of individual liberty and government by consent. Jefferson's eloquent writing and philosophical ideas about personal freedoms and rights significantly shaped the Declaration's content, making it a key historical document in the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States.

The other figures mentioned, although important in their respective roles and contributions during the formation of the United States, did not write the Declaration. Benjamin Franklin was present at the Continental Congress and contributed to discussions; however, he did not draft the document. George Washington was a commanding general in the Revolutionary War and later became the first president but was not involved in the writing of the Declaration. John Adams, while a strong advocate for independence and a member of the committee that facilitated the drafting process, took a backseat to Jefferson in authorship.