Search Click to return to the Virginia Historical Society home page View a menu of online exhibitions
The Story of Virginia Home About this exhibit For Teachers Resources Video Credits Schedule a tour Comments

Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776

Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776

Accession number: 1996.49.15

Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776, by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin were named to a committee to prepare a declaration of independence. Jefferson (standing) did the actual writing because he was known as a good writer. Congress deleted Jefferson's most extravagant rhetoric and accusations.

[View the original document online at the National Archives.]




Image rights owned by the Virginia Historical Society. Do not use without permission. Rights and reproductions

Back to Becoming Americans