The Declaration of Independence at 250: Foundations and Legacy (September 2025)

This essay first appeared in the September 2025 issue of Choice (volume 63 | issue 1).

Posted on September 26, 2025 in Bibliographic Essays

Authors:

Kimberly Casey

Introduction:

July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the 200th anniversary of the death of its principal author, Thomas Jefferson. This bibliographic essay surveys significant scholarship on or related to the Declaration, reflecting the broad thematic range it has inspired. Studies have explored the individuals and groups as well as the intellectual influences associated with the document. Other works consider elements of the Declaration’s enduring legacy within the United States and in global contexts, acknowledging it as a force in shaping human rights and democratic governance. 

This essay is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather representative of various interests in the document. Given his role as the text’s principal author, Thomas Jefferson occupies a central place in its scholarship and in this essay. Yet, the contributions of others in its creation, along with evolving interpretations of the document over time, are vital to scholarly understandings of the Declaration’s collective legacy. 

The essay is organized thematically, with sources arranged chronologically in the first section and topically in the remainder. Each of the four major themes addresses some aspect of scholarship on the Declaration. The first section examines monographs devoted exclusively to the Declaration itself. The second focuses on scholarship addressing the significant figures and institutions related to the document, as well as works on the American Revolution that encompass the Declaration of Independence as part of the larger historical event. Works associated with philosophical influences present within the text constitute the third section. Finally, the fourth section considers scholarship on the Declaration’s influence on other documents and its legacy in the United States. 

VIEW FULL ESSAY HERE

About the Author:

Kimberly Casey is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Northwest Missouri State University. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Her research focuses on Thomas Jefferson’s political connections.

Related Posts