Biography vs. Autobiography: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A biography is a life story written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the subject themselves.
Key Differences
A biography is a detailed description of a person's life written by another person. It includes not just the basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death but also portrays a subject's experience of these events. Unlike a biography, an autobiography is a self-written account of the life of oneself. The writer of an autobiography narrates their own life story, providing a personal insight into their experiences and perspectives.
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Nov 10, 2023
In biography, the author is a separate entity from the subject of the book. This separation often allows for a more objective view of the subject's life. Conversely, an autobiography is inherently subjective, as it is the author's own interpretation of their life. This subjectivity can offer a deep personal connection for the reader but may also include bias or a selective recounting of events.
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Nov 10, 2023
Biographies are often written with extensive research, including interviews with the subject (if alive), their acquaintances, and analysis of other sources. This external perspective can provide a comprehensive view of the subject's life and context. Autobiographies, however, are limited to the author's memory and perspective. They provide a first-person account and can include personal thoughts, feelings, and reflections that might not be present in a biography.
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Nov 10, 2023
The tone and style of a biography can vary depending on the author’s approach, ranging from academic and formal to more narrative and personal. Autobiographies, on the other hand, tend to have a more consistent tone, usually personal and introspective, reflecting the author's own voice and style.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
In summary, a biography is an account of someone's life written by another person, offering an external perspective, often well-researched and objective. An autobiography, by contrast, is written by the person themselves, providing an internal perspective that is inherently personal and subjective.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 10, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Authorship
Written by someone other than the subject.
Written by the subject themselves.
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Perspective
Provides an external perspective of the subject’s life.
Offers an internal, personal perspective of the author's own life.
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Nov 10, 2023
Subjectivity/Objectivity
More objective, may include research and interviews.
Inherently subjective, based on personal experiences.
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Nov 10, 2023
Tone and Style
Can vary; often formal or narrative, depending on the author.
Personal and introspective, reflecting the author’s own voice.
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Focus
Focuses on portraying the subject’s life and context.
Centers on the author’s memories, thoughts, and feelings.
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Biography and Autobiography Definitions
Biography
A book that tells the story of a person's life, written by another author.
The biography of Frida Kahlo explores her artistic journey and personal struggles.
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Autobiography
A self-written account of the author's own life.
In her autobiography, Michelle Obama reflects on her life from childhood to becoming the First Lady.
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Biography
A narrative of a person's life, written by another individual.
The biography of Marie Curie reveals her groundbreaking work in physics and chemistry.
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Autobiography
A book where the author tells their own life story.
Her autobiography offers a candid look into her experiences as an actress and activist.
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Biography
A written depiction of a person's life, not authored by the person.
The biography of Nelson Mandela offers insights into his fight against apartheid.
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Autobiography
A personal narrative of one's life written by oneself.
His autobiography details his journey from poverty to success.
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Biography
A non-fictional account of someone's life, authored by another.
His biography on Abraham Lincoln captures the essence of the president's legacy.
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Nov 10, 2023
Autobiography
A self-penned narrative documenting the author's life.
His autobiography provides an intimate look at his career in the music industry.
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Nov 10, 2023
Biography
An account of a person's life written, composed, or produced by another
A film biography of Adlai Stevenson.
An oral biography.
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Autobiography
A memoir written by the individual it's about.
The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is a classic, telling the story of one of America’s founding fathers.
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Biography
Biographies considered as a group, especially when regarded as a genre.
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Biography
The writing, composition, or production of biographies
A career entirely devoted to biography.
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Autobiography
(countable) A self-written biography; the story of one's own life.
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Oct 19, 2023
Biography
A person's life story, especially one published.
There are many biographies of Benjamin Franklin.
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Autobiography
(uncountable) Biographies of this kind regarded as a literary genre.
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Oct 19, 2023
Autobiography
A biography written by the subject of it; memoirs of one's life written by one's self.
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Oct 19, 2023
Biography
A detailed account of a person's life written by someone else.
Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs provides an in-depth look into the tech mogul's life.
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Nov 10, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Who writes a biography?
A biography is written by someone other than the subject.
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Nov 10, 2023
Who writes an autobiography?
An autobiography is written by the subject themselves.
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Nov 10, 2023
What is an autobiography?
An autobiography is a self-written account of the author's own life.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can biographies be subjective?
While biographies aim for objectivity, some subjectivity can enter, depending on the author’s perspective.
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Nov 10, 2023
What is a biography?
A biography is a detailed account of another person's life, written by someone else.
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Nov 10, 2023
How do biographers research their subjects?
Biographers research by examining letters, diaries, interviews, and other sources.
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What is the main purpose of an autobiography?
The main purpose of an autobiography is to share the author's personal life story and experiences.
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Nov 10, 2023
Do autobiographies have to cover an entire life?
Not necessarily; some autobiographies focus on specific periods or aspects of the author's life.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can biographies be biased?
While meant to be objective, biographies can reflect the author's biases or perspectives.
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Are autobiographies always true?
Autobiographies are based on the author's memories and perceptions, so they may contain subjective interpretations.
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What is the main purpose of a biography?
The main purpose of a biography is to provide an in-depth understanding of someone's life from an external viewpoint.
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Nov 10, 2023
What makes a good biography?
A good biography is well-researched, objective, and provides a comprehensive view of the subject's life.
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Are autobiographies edited by others?
While autobiographies are written by the subject, they often go through an editing process, sometimes involving others.
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What is the difference between an autobiography and a memoir?
An autobiography typically covers the author's entire life, while a memoir focuses on specific experiences or periods.
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Nov 10, 2023
Is an autobiography a primary source?
Yes, an autobiography is considered a primary source as it comes directly from the author about their life.
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Can a biography cover a living person's life?
Yes, biographies can cover both living and deceased individuals.
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Nov 10, 2023
How do biographers ensure accuracy?
Biographers ensure accuracy through thorough research and by cross-referencing multiple sources.
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Can autobiographies include fictional elements?
While based on real life, some autobiographies may include embellishments or fictionalized accounts.
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Nov 10, 2023
What makes a good autobiography?
A good autobiography is honest, engaging, and provides personal insights into the author’s experiences.
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Nov 10, 2023
Can anyone write a biography or autobiography?
Yes, anyone can write a biography or autobiography, but quality varies based on research, writing skill, and perspective.
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Nov 10, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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