U.S. Citizenship Civics TestColonial Period and IndependenceMedium
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
- AGeorge Washington
- BJohn Adams
- CBenjamin Franklin
- DThomas Jefferson
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, a Virginian lawyer and statesman, was tasked by the Committee of Five with drafting the Declaration of Independence, which articulated the colonies' grievances and their right to self-governance.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. George Washington was the commander of the Continental Army, not the primary author of the Declaration.
- B. John Adams was also on the Committee of Five and advocated for independence but was not the primary author.
- C. Benjamin Franklin was a key figure and on the Committee of Five but did not primarily author the document.
Declaration of Independence Author
The individual primarily responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence.
- Thomas Jefferson was the principal author.
- He was part of the Committee of Five.
- The document declared the colonies' separation from Britain.
Memory trick: Jefferson's pen, independence it did sign, a nation's birth, a future to define.