Who is the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence is Thomas Jefferson. He was tasked with drafting the document as a member of the Committee of Five, which was established by the Second Continental Congress in 1776. Jefferson’s writing is characterized by its articulateness and philosophical grounding in Enlightenment ideals, particularly the concepts of natural rights and government by consent of the governed.

His ability to convey the colonists' desire for independence in a compelling manner played a crucial role in communicating the reasons for the break from British rule and rallied support among the colonies and beyond. While other founding fathers contributed to the ideas and revisions of the Declaration, Jefferson’s authorship is widely recognized in historical scholarship, making him the principal author of this seminal document.