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Jefferson Spent 17 Days Drafting Declaration, Franklin Declined Participation

5/5/2026

23 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Thomas Jefferson spent seventeen days drafting the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson authored the draft for the Committee of Five, which included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston.
John Adams recorded in his diary that Thomas Jefferson merely clothed the committee’s outline in proper language.
Benjamin Franklin declined to draft the document, citing his age and reluctance to have his work edited.

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Story summary

Thomas Jefferson spent seventeen days drafting the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson authored the draft for the Committee of Five, which included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston.
John Adams recorded in his diary that Thomas Jefferson merely clothed the committee’s outline in proper language.
Benjamin Franklin declined to draft the document, citing his age and reluctance to have his work edited.