Thomas Jefferson largely wrote the original draft of the Declaration of Independence commemorated by America250.
Jefferson drafted the document in June 1776 as a member of the Committee of Five. He worked from a rented house in Philadelphia, while John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston reviewed the draft and suggested changes. Congress later edited the text before adopting it.
Jefferson’s authorship does not mean he acted alone or that the final text was unchanged. The committee presented his draft to Congress on June 28, and legislators shortened and revised it during debate. The final Declaration therefore reflects the work of Jefferson, the committee, and the Second Continental Congress.
George Washington is sometimes named because he was the commander of the Continental Army and a leading revolutionary figure, but he was not on the drafting committee. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin helped review the draft, while Jefferson is identified as its principal writer.