Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

• A. George Washington
• B. Benjamin Franklin
• C. John Adams
• D. Thomas Jefferson

Answer: (D)

Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft of the Declaration of Independence for the Continental Congress in June 1776. He was chosen as the principal author by the Committee of Five, which was tasked with creating the document that would explain why the colonies were breaking from Britain. Jefferson’s draft expressed the Enlightenment idea that people have natural rights and listed the king’s grievances, forming the central argument for independence. While George Washington led the army and Franklin and Adams contributed to the process, Jefferson was the main writer of this key document.