A historical biography meaning example

Home / Biography Templates & Examples / A historical biography meaning example

The job of the writer, then, becomes one of shaping the life to fit the elements of a good plot.

Writers Known for Biographies

Many modern writers have dedicated much of their careers to biographies, such as:

  • Kitty Kelley, author of Jackie Oh! An Intimate Biography; His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra; and The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty
  • Antonia Fraser, author of Mary Queen of ScotsCromwell; Our Chief of Men; and The Gunpowder Plot: Terror and Faith in 1605
  • David McCullough, author of The Path Between the Seas; Truman; and John Adams
  • Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words; Madonna; and Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography
  • Alison Weir, author of The Six Wives of Henry VIII; Eleanor of Aquitaine: By the Wrath of God; Queen of England; and Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and His Scandalous Duchess

Examples of Biographies

1.

A compelling biography opener could include a fascinating anecdote, a thought-provoking quote, or a brief overview of the person’s impact on their field.

Writing a Biography – The Background

The background section establishes context by covering the subject’s early life, education, and family. I think it’s 50/50, maybe. It requires a balanced approach that highlights both successes and hardships.

A ghostwriter is an author who helps in the creation of a book, either collaborating with someone else or doing all of the writing him- or herself. By examining the lives of significant figures, historians can gain a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and political contexts in which they lived. Biography then got very popular in the 18th century with James Boswell’s 1791 publication of The Life of Samuel Johnson.

3

This perspective has led to a reevaluation of the way historians approach biographical subjects, with many arguing that traditional biographical narratives are overly simplistic and fail to capture the complexity of human experience.

The Significance of Feminist and Postcolonial Perspectives in Biography

Feminist and postcolonial perspectives have also had a significant impact on the field of historical biography.

a historical biography meaning example

Zamperini’s life story is one of those narratives that is “stranger than fiction” and Hillenbrand brings the drama brilliantly to the reader.

Example #5

I remember sitting in his backyard in his garden, one day, and he started talking about God. He [Jobs] said, “ Sometimes I believe in God, sometimes I don’t.

Whether you’re reading about a historical leader, a business mogul, or an unsung hero, biographies provide valuable lessons and insights into human experiences. The biography delved into the facts surrounding McCandless’s death, as well as incorporating some of Krakauer’s own experience.

Example #3

A commanding woman versed in politics, diplomacy, and governance; fluent in nine languages; silver-tongued and charismatic, Cleopatra nonetheless seems the joint creation of Roman propagandists and Hollywood directors.

(Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff)

Stacy Schiff wrote a new biography of Cleopatra in 2010 in order to divide fact from fiction, and go back to the amazing and intriguing personality of the woman herself.

The book opens with Nash’s childhood and follows him through his education, career, personal life, and struggles with schizophrenia. Biography continues to be one of the best selling genres in literature, and has led to a number of literary prizes specifically for this form.

Examples of Biography in Literature

Example #1

And I can imagine Farmer saying he doesn’t care if no one else is willing to follow their example.

Writing is a biography? They educate, inspire, and offer unique perspectives on different eras and cultures. Clinton reconstructed Tubman’s history entirely through other source material, and historians often cite this work as the quintessential biography of Tubman’s life.

4. This article will explore the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of historical biography, highlighting its role in shaping our understanding of the past.

Theoretical Frameworks in Historical Biography

Historical biography is not simply a matter of recounting the facts of a person's life.

In 44 BCE, Roman writer Cornelius Nepos published Excellentium Imperatorum Vitae (Lives of the Generals), one of the earliest recorded biographies. Now he must have been alarmed to find a three-acre lake covering the trail.

(Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer)

Jon Krakauer is a writer and outdoorsman famous for many nonfiction books, including his own experience in a mountaineering disaster on Mount Everest in 1996.

One notable exception was Italian painter/architect Giorgio Vasari’s 1550 biography, The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, which was immensely popular.