Who wrote the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson wrote the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence.

On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed the Committee of Five to prepare a declaration. The committee included Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. The other members selected Jefferson to produce the first draft.

Jefferson wrote most of the draft between June 11 and June 28, 1776. Congress then debated, edited, and shortened the text before adopting it on July 4. Jefferson’s wording about equality, rights, and government became among the most recognized political language in United States history.

Jefferson was the principal drafter, but he was not the only person involved. Franklin and Adams reviewed the draft, and the full Congress made substantial changes. George Washington did not serve on the drafting committee.