Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence was Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the document in 1776. His writing articulated the colonies' reasons for seeking independence from Britain, emphasizing natural rights, equality, and the idea that government derives its power from the consent of the governed. Jefferson's eloquence and philosophical approach helped shape the foundational ideas of American democracy and individual liberty, making the Declaration a pivotal document in U.S. history. While other significant figures, such as Ben Franklin and John Hancock, played important roles in the independence movement and the Continental Congress, it was Jefferson who was specifically tasked with composing the Declaration. James Madison, although a key figure in American government and a framer of the Constitution, was not involved in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.