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.
Shumaila Saeed
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Nov 10, 2023
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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Hifza Nasir
