Autobiography vs. Biography: What’s the Difference?
Autobiographies and biographies are two literary genres that explore a person’s life, but they differ in perspective and approach. Knowing the difference between them is important for both readers and writers.
This article will explore the key differences between the two — plus, we’ll touch on related genres like memoirs and, yes, bibliographies.
In the following sections, we’ll consider the defining characteristics of each genre, the writing process for each, and the unique value they offer readers.
Autobiography vs. biography: a head-to-head comparison
What’s the difference between an autobiography and a biography? Here’s a quick look.
What is an autobiography?
An autobiography is a first-person account of someone’s life. The person writing the book is the subject of the book. Autobiographies tend to focus on personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
While autobiographies often proceed chronologically, they can also be organized around a theme. Two notable examples include Helen Keller’s The Story of My Life and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
What is a biography?
A biography is a third-person account of someone’s life. The author is not the subject of the book. Biographies aim for objectivity and focus on factual details, achievements, and historical context. Biographers need to do a lot of research and have a solid understanding of their subject.
Two well-known examples are Joseph J. Ellis’s His Excellency: George Washington and Robert K. Massie’s Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman.
Key differences between autobiography and biography
While both autobiographies and biographies tell a life story, they differ in several key ways.
Perspective and voice
An autobiography is a subjective account told in the first person, using “I,” “me,” and “my.” It’s the author’s personal take on their life, offering insights into their motivations and feelings and reflecting on personal growth.
A biography is an objective account, told in the third person, using “he,” “she,” and “they.” The biographer aims to present a detached and comprehensive view of the subject’s life, minimizing personal opinions to maintain objectivity.
Research and source material
An autobiography draws primarily on the author’s memories, experiences, and personal documents, such as letters, diaries, and photographs. The author is the primary source of information.
A biography requires extensive research using a variety of sources. These may include interviews with the subject (if living), family, friends, and colleagues, as well as historical documents, letters, diaries, and other archival materials.
Exploring similar genres: memoir and bibliography
While we’re talking about autobiographies and biographies, it might be helpful to define two related genres: the memoir and the bibliography.
Memoir: A look at a specific experience
A memoir is like an autobiography, but instead of focusing on the whole of a person’s life, a memoir zooms in on a specific time, theme, or event.
Memoirs tend to emphasize emotional details and personal reflection. Some well-known memoirs include Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
The main difference between a memoir and an autobiography is that a memoir is more selective, while an autobiography generally attempts to be a comprehensive account of a life.
Bibliography: A list of sources
A bibliography, on the other hand, isn’t an account of a life at all. A bibliography is a list of sources that a writer used in a book, article, or other piece of writing.
Bibliographies generally include books, articles, websites, and other materials. They’re used to give credit to sources and to help readers do more research on the topic.
Bibliographies are very different from autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs. They’re documentation, not narrative.
Types of biographies and autobiographies
Both biographies and autobiographies come in a few different flavors.
Types of biographies
- Authorized biography: The subject of the biography (or their family or estate) has given their permission and cooperation.
- Unauthorized biography: The biographer didn’t get permission from the subject.
- Biographical novel: This is a fictionalized take on a person’s life, a blend of fact and fiction.
- Group biography: This type of biography focuses on a group of individuals who are connected by a shared experience or theme.
Types of autobiographies
- Complete autobiography: This covers the author’s whole life.
- Memoir: This focuses on a particular era or experience in the author’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a memoir a bibliography?
No, a memoir is not a bibliography. A memoir is a type of autobiography that focuses on a specific theme, event, or period in the author’s life. It’s a narrative recounting personal experiences and reflections. A bibliography, on the other hand, is a list of sources used in a piece of writing, like books, articles, or websites.
What is the difference between autobiography and biographical?
Autobiography is a self-written account of a person’s life. It’s told from the author’s own perspective. Biographical, on the other hand, refers to a biography, which is an account of a person’s life written by someone else. So, autobiography is “self-life-writing,” and biography is “other-life-writing.”
What is the difference between a bibliography and an autobiography?
A bibliography is a list of sources used in a work, providing information about books, articles, and other materials consulted or cited. It’s an academic tool for acknowledging sources and allowing readers to find them. An autobiography is a narrative account of a person’s entire life, written by that person. They serve completely different purposes and belong to different categories of writing.
The Bottom Line
To recap, autobiographies offer a first-person, inside look at a person’s life. Biographies tell the story of someone’s life from an outside perspective. Memoirs focus on specific events and the emotions they evoke. And bibliographies are lists of sources, not life stories.
If you’re thinking about writing your own story or telling someone else’s, it’s important to choose the right genre for your project. Think about your goals, who you want to reach, and the kind of story you want to tell. Each of these genres offers its own unique set of opportunities and challenges.
Whether you’re a reader or a writer, there’s a lot to discover in these genres. Writing your story—or someone else’s—can be a deeply rewarding experience.