Who is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence because he was chosen by the Continental Congress to be the principal author of the document, which was adopted on July 4, 1776. Jefferson's eloquent and persuasive writing style was instrumental in expressing the colonies' grievances against King George III and articulating the Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty and government by consent. His belief in the natural rights of individuals significantly influenced the document's content. The Declaration not only declared the colonies' intentions to separate from British rule but also laid the philosophical groundwork for the new nation, emphasizing the principles of equality and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This pivotal role in crafting one of America's founding texts is why Jefferson is most commonly associated with the Declaration of Independence.