Biographies definition

Home / General Biography Information / Biographies definition

They weave together information into a compelling and cohesive story.

Example: Consider Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs. Whether it’s about a historical figure, a celebrity, or a personal hero, biographies offer valuable insights into the lives of others, serving as inspiration and a source of learning.

This article delves into the meaning of a biography, its purpose, structure, and some notable examples to illustrate its importance in literature and society.

Key Takeaways

  • Definition: A biography is a detailed account of a person’s life written by someone else.
  • Purpose: It aims to educate, inspire, or entertain readers by showcasing a person’s life journey.
  • Examples: Notable biographies include “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank and “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson.
  • Difference from Autobiography: A biography is written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the subject themselves.

Definition and Meaning of a Biography

A biography is a literary work that provides a factual account of a person’s life.

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. Autobiographies are inherently subjective, while biographies strive for a degree of objectivity.

Example: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is an autobiography.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

It is also important that we can compare the contrasting biographies of houses, cemeteries, land divisions and enclosures. One biographer might emphasize Churchill’s wartime leadership, while another might focus on his controversial colonial policies.

Biography Versus Related Genres

Autobiography

The most obvious distinction is that an autobiography is a person’s account of their own life, written by themselves.

Thus, the above excerpt is possible where the writer is a character in the story himself, asking Jobs about his views on life and philosophy of the world.

Test Your Knowledge of Biography

1. 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.

How is a biography different from an autobiography?
A biography is written by someone else about the subject, while an autobiography is written by the person themselves.

3. The biography describes Farmer’s work as well as some of his personal life.

Example #2

On July 2, McCandless finished reading Tolstoy’s “Family Happiness”, having marked several passages that moved him:
“He was right in saying that the only certain happiness in life is to live for others…”

Then, on July 3, he shouldered his backpack and began the twenty-mile hike to the improved road.

biographies definition

The word itself comes from the Greek words “bios” (life) and “grapho” (write).

Here are some quick examples:

  • A book about the life of Marie Curie
  • An article detailing the experiences of Nelson Mandela
  • A documentary film exploring the career of a famous musician

The Key Characteristics of Biography

Factual Accuracy

Perhaps the most crucial element of a biography is its commitment to truth.

Whether exploring the lives of historical figures, contemporary icons, or ordinary individuals, biography offers a unique window into the human condition.

The vast majority of biography examples are written about people who are or were famous, such as politicians, actors, athletes, and so on.

From the Cambridge English Corpus

The fascination with this new form of cerebral biographies grasped anatomical experts as well.

Biography

Stories of lives lived, and the triumphs, struggles, and enduring legacies have always captivated us. In April they’d been frozen over and hadn’t presented an obstacle. Recognizing this inherent subjectivity is crucial for readers.

Example: Two biographies of Winston Churchill might present contrasting portraits of the man, depending on the authors’ political leanings.

It is often more personal and introspective than a biography, prioritizing emotional truth over strict factual accuracy.

Example: Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a memoir that focuses on her childhood and adolescence. They should strive for clarity, accuracy, and sensitivity. Biographers must delve into archives, libraries, and other repositories to gather information about their subject.