The Declaration of Independence

At the Continental Congress in 1775, Jefferson was a writer among orators. He was not handsome, was a poor speaker and would never have been elected president in the television era. Instead, as the most junior member of the powerful Virginia contingent, Jefferson's gift for writing was recognized. He was given a task that no one else wanted, forging the Declaration of Independence. This was based on Jefferson's previous experience drafting the "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms." Jefferson's entire political career was based on the remarkable document that he crafted. If he had not written the Declaration of Independence, it is unlikely that anyone would now remember Jefferson's name. He most assuredly would never have become president.

Although Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, he did not participate directly in writing the constitution. In fact, depending upon whom...