What year did Thomas Jefferson write and sign the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson started writing the declaration on June 11, 1776. With him on the committee assigned by Congress was John Adams, who had already submitted a preamble to Congress on May 15, 1776, noting the many similar declarations by various colonies and groups.

The other three members of the committee were Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston (who later gave the Presidential oath of office to George Washington).