Who is credited as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson is credited as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence because he was tasked by the Continental Congress to draft the document in 1776. Jefferson's eloquent writing style and philosophical ideas about individual rights and government played a crucial role in articulating the colonies' desire for independence from British rule. His draft was then debated and edited by other members of the committee and the Continental Congress, but Jefferson's original contributions remain the foundational ideas in the document. This pivotal role in writing the Declaration established him as a key figure in American history and governance.