Scientific thinking behind the US Declaration of Independence explored
On 4 July 1776, the US Declaration of Independence was adopted, drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson with edits from Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. The document's language drew on Enlightenment empiricism, referencing 'Laws of Nature and of Nature's God' and 'self-evident' truths, echoing scientific axioms. Only 26 of the original 200 Dunlap broadsides survive; one will be displayed at the Science Museum's 'Becoming America' exhibition opening 23 October. The exhibition also features an almanac by Benjamin Banneker, an African American astronomer who challenged Jefferson on slavery. The founders' scientific thinking informed the grid system for land division adopted by Congress in 1785.
Key facts
- Declaration of Independence adopted 4 July 1776
- Main drafter: Thomas Jefferson; editors: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams
- Language reflects Enlightenment empiricism and scientific axioms
- Only 26 of 200 original Dunlap broadsides survive
- One Dunlap broadside to be displayed at Science Museum's 'Becoming America' exhibition from 23 October
- Benjamin Banneker's almanac (1792-1797) featured in exhibition
- Banneker wrote to Jefferson in 1791 criticizing slavery using Declaration's language
- Congress adopted Jefferson's grid system for land division in 1785
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- John Adams
- Robert R. Livingston
- Roger Sherman
- Benjamin Banneker
- King George III
- George Washington
- Francis Bacon
- Isaac Newton
- John Locke
- Euclid
- Elissavet Ntoulia
- Steven Sarson
- Tom Shachtman
- Annette Gordon-Reed
Institutions
- Continental Congress
- Science Museum
- National Archives
- University of Virginia Press
- St. Martin's Press
- The Atlantic
- Maryland Center for History and Culture
- Griffin Catalyst
Locations
- Philadelphia
- United States
- Britain
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Bowling Green
- Virginia
- Americas
- Africa