Who is recognized as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence is Thomas Jefferson. He was selected to draft the declaration by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. Jefferson's eloquent writing style and clear articulation of Enlightenment ideals, such as natural rights and the social contract, strongly influenced the document’s content. His work is characterized by a profound commitment to the concepts of liberty and equality, which were revolutionary at the time.

While other Founding Fathers, such as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, played significant roles in the committee responsible for the document, it was Jefferson who crafted the majority of the text. George Washington, although an important leader during the American Revolution, was not involved in the drafting of the Declaration. Jefferson’s authorship established him as a key figure in American history, symbolizing the intellectual foundation of the nation’s democratic principles.