Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence was authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. His role was significant as he articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from Britain, emphasizing principles such as natural rights and government by consent of the governed. Jefferson's eloquence and political philosophy shaped the document's powerful message and have left a lasting impact on American democracy.

While George Washington played a crucial leadership role during the American Revolution and John Adams was a strong advocate for independence, it was Jefferson who crafted the declaration itself. Alexander Hamilton, known for his contributions to financial policy and the Federalist Papers, was not involved in writing the Declaration, making Jefferson's authorship the key fact of this question.