The group that worked together to write the Declaration of Independence was the Committee of Five from the Second Continental Congress: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

Quick Scoop: Who Wrote It?

Think of the Declaration as a team project with one main writer.

  • The Continental Congress appointed a small group called the Committee of Five to draft the Declaration.
  • Thomas Jefferson did most of the actual writing, but the others reviewed and suggested changes before it went to Congress.
  • Congress then debated and edited the text before approving it on July 4, 1776.

Mini Story: How It Came Together

In June 1776, as tensions with Britain hit a breaking point, Congress knew it needed a clear, formal statement explaining why the colonies were declaring independence. They chose five respected delegates—Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and Livingston—to handle the job.

Jefferson, just 33 years old, drafted the first version, drawing on ideas about natural rights and government by consent. Adams and Franklin read his draft, suggested changes, and the committee agreed on a version to send to Congress. After debates and edits on the floor of Congress, the Declaration of Independence was finally adopted, becoming one of the most famous political documents in history.

Key Facts in Bullet Points

  • Group name: Committee of Five.
  • Members: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston.
  • Principal writer: Thomas Jefferson.
  • Role of the others: Reviewed Jefferson’s draft, suggested edits, and helped finalize the text before Congress edited and adopted it.

Simple Answer (TL;DR)

The Declaration of Independence was drafted by the Committee of Five —Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston—with Jefferson as the main author.

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