The Violin Played

Did you know that music may have unlocked the genius that wrote the Declaration of Independence? Out of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine, Jefferson was the one chosen to write the Declaration. They all were in agreement on the first draft but it was still in the process of refining. Needing inspiring words, artistic decoration and a precise purpose, the paper was far from complete. Unfortunately, the others were not quite right for the task of writing the final draft. While they were all probably qualified, Adams who was too rough, Franklin, who was too sick, and Paine, who was too controversial, weren’t chosen for the duty. The one chosen was Jefferson. From entries in Jefferson’s landlady’s journal, we find reports of the struggle Jefferson had while writing. Barely accomplishing a thing, he would pace around the room, his footsteps being heard by the landlady’ downstairs. Jefferson finally gave up and sent for his violin, which arrived in a short amount of time. Then he played. Soon he grew quiet and in a few days he came down the stairs with the complete final draft. Inspiring, artistic and precise, the paper was them all. Tremendously unlocking the genius behind the Declaration, music is certainly amazing. Although it saddens me that few are aware of the role the violin played in the founding of our country.

#johnadams #benjaminfranklin #thomasjefferson #thomaspaine