Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was selected to draft the document by the Continental Congress in June 1776, primarily due to his renowned skill in writing and his articulate expression of Enlightenment ideals, including the principles of natural rights and the social contract theory.

His composition, which eloquently expressed the colonies' grievances against British rule and articulated the fundamental right to self-governance, laid the philosophical foundation for the United States. While other notable figures like John Adams and Benjamin Franklin played significant roles in the revolutionary movement and contributed to the debate surrounding independence, it was Jefferson who penned the draft that would become a cornerstone of American democracy. The declaration, adopted on July 4, 1776, not only proclaimed independence but also framed the aspirations of a new nation built on the ideals of liberty and equality.