Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson. He was chosen by the Continental Congress to draft the document due to his skills as a writer and his ability to articulate the colonies’ desire for independence from British rule. Jefferson’s draft laid out the colonies’ grievances against King George III, articulated Enlightenment principles of individual rights and government by consent, and ultimately made a case for the colonies' right to self-governance. His eloquent prose and philosophical underpinnings in the declaration helped to solidify the document’s place as a foundational text in American history, establishing core values that continue to resonate today.

Other figures, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, were significant in their support and leadership roles during the American Revolution, but they did not play the direct role of drafting the Declaration. Washington was the commanding general of the Continental Army, Franklin was a diplomat and statesman, and Adams was a passionate advocate for independence who contributed to the document’s committee but did not author the text.