different between autobiography and biography

Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference between Biography and Autobiography

Both of these two presents the view of, what happened in the past where the author lived. These are non-fiction books, written in chronological order, tells a story about the person who made a significant contribution in a specific field. Many think that the two writing forms are one and the same thing, but there are noticeable difference between the two, that are presented in the given article.

Content: Biography Vs Autobiography

Comparison chart.

Basis for Comparison	Biography	Autobiography
Meaning	Biography refers to an account that tells someone else's life story.	Autobiography means an account that tells your life story.
Authorization	Can be written, with or without the authorization of the subject.	Not required
Written in	Third person	First person
Purpose	To inform	To express and inform
Outlook	Based on facts collected by the author.	Full of emotions and thoughts.

Definition of Biography

A biography also referred as ‘bio’ is a detailed account of a person’s life written or produced by another person. It gives an elaborate information regarding the birthplace, educational background, work, relationships and demise of the person concerned. It presents the subject’s intimate details about life, focusing on the highs and lows and analysing their whole personality.

A biography is usually in the written form but can also be made in other forms of a music composition or literature to film interpretation.

It is the recreation of the life of an individual composed of words by another person. The author collects every single detail about the subject and presents those facts in the biography, which are relevant and interesting, to engross the readers in the story.

Definition of Autobiography

An autobiography is the life sketch of a person written by that person himself or herself. The word auto means ‘self.’ Therefore, autobiography contains all the elements of a biography but composed or narrated by the author himself. He/She may write on their own or may hire ghostwriters to write for them.

An autobiography presents the narrator’s character sketch, the place where he is born and brought up, his education, work, life experiences, challenges, and achievements. This may include events and stories of his childhood, teenage, and adulthood.

Key Differences Between Biography and Autobiography

The difference between biography and autobiography are discussed in detail in the following points:

Biography is a detailed account of a person’s life written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the subject themselves.
Biography can be written with (authorised) or without permission (unauthorised) from the person/heir’s concerned. Therefore, there are chances of factual mistakes in the information. On the other hand, autobiographies are self-written and therefore doesn’t require any authorization.
Biographies contain information that is collected over a period of time from different sources and thus, it projects a different outlook to the readers. On the other hand, autobiographies are written by the subject themselves, therefore, the writer presents the facts and his thinking in his own way, thus providing an overall narrow and biased perspective to the readers.
In an Autobiography, the author uses the first narrative like I, me, we, he, she, etc. This, in turn, makes an intimate connection between the author and the reader since the reader experience various aspects as if he/she is in that time period. As opposed a biography is from a third person’s view and is much less intimate.
The purpose of writing a biography is to introduce and inform the readers about the person and his life whereas an autobiography is written in order to express, the life experiences and achievements of the narrator.

Video: Biography Vs Autobiography

There are several autobiographies which are worth mentioning like ‘The Story of My Life’ by Helen Keller, ‘An Autobiography’ by Jawaharlal Nehru, ‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank, ‘Memoirs of the Second World War’ by Winston Churchill, ‘Wings of Fire’ by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and much more.

Examples of some famous biographies are- Tolstoy: A Russian Life by Rosamund Bartlett, His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, Einstein: The Life and Times by Ronald William Clark, Biography of Walt Disney: The Inspirational Life Story of Walt Disney – The Man Behind “Disneyland” by Steve Walters, Princess Diana- A Biography Of The Princess Of Wales by Drew L. Crichton.

You Might Also Like:

May 4, 2017 at 12:13 am

This website is amazing because my class is reading over it

Joseph says

February 21, 2023 at 8:18 am

I have gotten the answers I really needed at this site

Mukesh Kumar Guar says

February 12, 2019 at 1:52 pm

Little and complete information I was looking for.

Abdul Rahim Muhammad Latif says

February 26, 2019 at 6:09 pm

nice wake well done

Hanady says

October 18, 2019 at 5:51 pm

Amazing! Very helpful and useful. Thank you!

May 7, 2023 at 6:47 am

your article is very well explained

Manish Bhati says

June 21, 2023 at 11:51 am

Great explanation by Surbhi S, it clears confusion between biographies and autobiographies.

Biography vs Autobiography: Similarities and Differences

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

biography vs autobiography, explained below

A biography is an account of someone’s life story that is written by an author who is not the subject of the nook. An autobiography, on the other hand, involves an individual narrating their own life experiences.

The differences between biographies and autobiographies relate most prominently to the authorhship:

Autobiography: When you read an autobiography, you’re getting the author’s own interpretation of their life.
Biography: When you read a biography, you experience the subject’s life through someone else’s lens (Schiffrin & Brockmeier, 2012).

Biography vs Autobiography

1. biography.

A biography is a detailed account of a person’s life, scripted by an author who is not the person who is featured in the text itself.

This type of life story focuses both on factual events in the person’s life, such as birth, education, work, and death, but often also delves into personal aspects like experiences, relationships, and significant achievements.

It may also weave-in cultural and contextual factors that help illuminate the person’s motivations and core values .

Origins of Biographies

The concept of biography as a literary genre dates back to antiquity. Such works were primarily used to capture the lives of dignified individuals, mainly rulers and war heroes.

Suetonius’s Lives of the Caesars and Plutarch’s Parallel Lives are landmark examples from this ancient period (Sweet, 2010).

The popularity of biographical works only grew in the ensuing centuries, and they became a prominent part of many cultures’ literary traditions.

Into the 18th century and during the Enlightenment, biographies began to present a more balanced portrayal of the subject. They would present both their strengths and flaws, providing a holistic perspective on the subject.

Dr. Samuel Johnson’s compilation of English poets biographies, Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets (1779-1781) ushered in a new era of biography writing by focusing on examining human nature (Ditchfield, 2018).

In the modern era, the genre has evolved and broadened, encompassing a diverse range of figures from all walks of life – there’s a biography in every niche imaginable, with each offering readers an in-depth exploration of their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs.

This demonstrates the enduring appeal of biographies and their value in providing snapshots of history through individual lenses.

Key Characteristics of Biographies


	The author of the biography is not the person who the story is about. The writer is an observer who collects, verifies, and narrates the life story of the person in focus (Smith et al., 2012).
	A biography doesn’t have the of an autobiography. So, a biography is often more trustworthy, but we still need to examine the incentives of the actual author (Jones, 2015).
	A biography covers all the significant aspects of the person’s life. From birth to death, or their most noteworthy accomplishments, it encompasses a wide array of life events (Johnson & Johnson, 2017).
	A biography prioritizes facts and major milestones in an individual’s life, such as , careers, relationships, and more. It does not delve into trivial details unless they are relevant to the person’s life story (Williams, 2019).

Examples of Biographies

Title: The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets Author: Dr. Samuel Johnson Description: Dr. Johnson’s work profiles the lives of 52 poets from the 17th and 18th centuries, including John Milton and Alexander Pope. He critiques not just the works, but also explores their personal lives and the sociopolitical contexts of their times (Johnson, 1781). Johnson’s study is invaluable for its integrated historic and biographic approach.

Title: The Life of Samuel Johnson Author: James Boswell Description: This work by Boswell explores, in great depth, the life of his friend and mentor, Dr. Samuel Johnson. The biography offers a compelling portrayal of Dr. Johnson’s life, character, eccentricities, and intellectual prowess (Boswell, 1791). Boswell’s vivid account creates a near-physical presence of Johnson to the readers, making it one of the greatest biographies in English literature.

Title: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt Author: Edmund Morris Description: In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Morris chronicles the early life of Theodore Roosevelt until his ascension to the U.S presidency. The work brilliantly captures Roosevelt’s extraordinary career and his transformation from a frail asthmatic boy into a robust and vigorous leader (Morris, 1979). Morris accurately represents Roosevelt’s indomitable spirit, making it an engaging and educational read.

Title: Steve Jobs Author: Walter Isaacson Description: This comprehensive biography provides a deep-dive into the life and career of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple. Isaacson had unparalleled access to Jobs and those closest to him, thus presenting an intimate and detailed account. He explores Jobs’ professional endeavors as well as his personal life, revealing his ambition, intensity, and visionary mind that revolutionized several high-tech industries (Isaacson, 2011).

Title: Alexander Hamilton Author: Ron Chernow Description: Ron Chernow provides a sweeping narrative of one of America’s most compelling founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Chernow combines extensive research with a flair for storytelling, charting Hamilton’s evolution from an orphan into a political genius. The book sheds light on Hamilton’s crucial role in the formation of the United States’ financial system and his political ideologies (Chernow, 2004).

2. Autobiography

An autobiography is a self-written record of someone’s own life. It is a personal narrative in which the author writes about their life from their own perspective.

Autobiographies are usually centered around the author’s personal experiences, including key milestones, challenges, and achievements (Eakin, 2015).

They’re also often a defense of the person’s perspective (especially in political autobiographies) or insight into their thought processes, which can make them very intimate.

Origins of Autobiographies

The term ‘autobiography’ was first used deprecatingly by William Taylor in 1797 in the English periodical The Monthly Review, when he suggested the word as a hybrid but condemned it as ‘pedantic’.

Pioneering examples of the genre form include Thomas De Quincey’s Confessions of an English Opium-Eater (1821) and the memoirs by veterans of the Napoleonic Wars (Lejeune, 2016).

However, apart from these early instances, autobiographies have been composed by a wide array of individuals from history.

In the early 20th century, the genre witnessed major transformations, and autobiographies started to cover a broader spectrum of experiences, including trauma, struggles, and successes.

‘Black Boy’ by Richard Wright, for instance, shares the author’s experiences with racism and his journey towards developing a literary career (Wright, 1945).

This was followed by a host of autobiographies by public figures sharing their diverse stories, such as Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Moveable Feast’, depicting his days as a struggling young writer in Paris (Hemingway, 1964).

Autobiography as a genre has continued to evolve over the years, and a variety of forms have emerged to communicate individual experiences globally.

As history has progressed, we see more and more people with diverse perspectives sharing their stories, broadening our understanding of the human experience (Smith & Watson, 2010).

Key Characteristics of Autobiographies


	The author of the autobiography is the person the story is about. They are the principal actor and the of the information (Miller, 2014). As a result, we can get a deeper ‘insider’ insight into their mentality and expereinces.
	An autobiography emphasizes the personal viewpoint adopted by the author. The story is told from their own emotions, biases, and interpretations, providing a very personal perspective. However, we also need to be aware that it’s going to only present one self-serving perspective on the matter.
	Autobiographies go beyond factual accounts and include the author’s internal thoughts, emotions, and introspections about their experiences (Baker et al., 2013).
	Unlike a biography, an autobiography may not cover the entirety of the author’s life. Instead, they’re more likely to concentrate on specific themes (like resilience) or significant periods (like childhood or a specific career phase) (Brown & Brown, 2018).

Examples of Autobiographies

Title: Long Walk to Freedom Author: Nelson Mandela Description: “Long Walk to Freedom” provides an in-depth exploration of ex-President Nelson Mandela, his political journey, and his stand against apartheid in South Africa. The biography offers a unique perspective into Mandela’s noble character, his indomitable spirit, and his commitment to justice when faced with grave adversities (Mandela, 1995). Mandela serves as one of our times’ great moral and political leaders through this biography.

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl Author: Anne Frank Description: This biography provides a startling firsthand account of a young Jewish girl named Anne Frank, who with her family, hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. Her diary entries offer profound insights into the fear, hope, and resilience she demonstrated during her two years in hiding (Frank, 1947). Frank’s posthumous biographical record serves as a reminder of the injustices of the past and as a symbol of endurance in the face of oppression.

Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Author: Maya Angelou Description: This moving autobiography charts Maya Angelou’s early life, from experiencing racial discrimination in the South to becoming the first black streetcar conductor in San Francisco. Angelou portrays her journey of self-discovery and overcoming traumatic experiences, including racial prejudice and personal trauma, with remarkable strength and grace. Her story is one of resilience, and it speaks powerfully about finding one’s voice (Angelou, 1969).

Title: Night Author: Elie Wiesel Description: “Night” is Wiesel’s personal account of his experiences in Nazi concentration camps during World War II with his father. This heartbreaking narrative describes not only physical hardship and cruel atrocities but also examines the loss of innocence and the struggle to maintain faith in humanity. It stands as a testament to human resilience in the face of unimaginable horror (Wiesel, 1960).

Title: Dreams from My Father Author: Barack Obama Description: In this engaging memoir, the 44th President of the United States narrates the story of his diverse background and early life. The narrative extends from his birth in Hawaii to his first visit to Kenya, from dealing with racial identity to self-discovery. “Dreams from My Father” not only provides personal insights about Obama’s life and values but also discusses issues of race, identity, and purpose (Obama, 1995).

Similarities and Differences Between Biographies and Autobiographies


1. Authorship	Written by a third party. The author and subject are different individuals (Smith et al., 2012).	Written by the subject themselves. The author is the person the story is about (Miller, 2014).
2. Perspective	Presents an objective perspective, offering a balanced view of the subject’s life (Jones, 2015).	Emphasizes a subjective perspective, providing a very personal view of the author’s life.
3. Content	Focuses on facts and major life events, offering a comprehensive account of an individual’s life (Johnson & Johnson, 2017).	Often includes personal reflections and feelings, may focus on specific themes or periods in the author’s life (Baker et al., 2013; Brown & Brown, 2018).
4. Personal Reflections	Contains limited personal reflections or emotions of the subject.	Contains an abundance of personal reflections and emotions from the author (Baker et al., 2013).
5. Subjectivity / Objectivity	More objective due to the distance between the author and the subject (Jones, 2015).	More subjective due to the close relationship between the author and the subject – they’re the same person.
6. Strengths	Provides an impartial and factual account of a person’s life, which can be helpful for historical or academic study (Williams, 2019).	Gives a deeper insight into a person’s thoughts and emotions, providing a unique perspective on their life experiences (Baker et al., 2013).
7. Weaknesses	May lack personal insight or emotional depth due to its objective approach (Williams, 2019).	May be biased or overly emotional due to its subjective approach, and may not cover the entirety of the author’s life (Brown & Brown, 2018).

While both biographies and autobiographies are excellent sources of information and entertainment about significant figures in history (or the present!), they serve different purposes. By knowing the different purposes of each, we can develop stronger media literacy , understanding what the intention of the author is, and how we should approach the text.

Angelou, M. (1969). I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings . Random House.

Baker, J., Davis, E., & Thompson, K. (2013). Reflection and Emotions in Autobiography . Chicago University Press.

Boswell, J. (1791). The Life of Samuel Johnson . J.R. Taylor.

Brown, J., & Brown, S. (2018). Thematic Focus in Autobiography Writing . Princeton University Press.

Chernow, R. (2004). Alexander Hamilton . Penguin Books.

Ditchfield, S. (2018). Extracting the Domestic from the Didactic: Transmission and Translation of the Sacred in The Lives of the Ancient Fathers (1672–1675). Church History and Religious Culture, 98 (1), 28-50.

Eakin, P. J. (2015). How Our Lives Become Stories: Making Selves . Cornell University Press.

Frank, A. (1947). The Diary of a Young Girl . Contact Publishing.

Hemingway, E. (1964). A Moveable Feast . Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Isaacson, W. (2011). Steve Jobs . Simon & Schuster.

Johnson, M., & Johnson, S. (2017). A Comprehensive Guide to Biography Writing . New York: Penguin.

Johnson, S. (1781). The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets . Printed by C. Bathurst, J. Buckland [and 28 others in London].

Jones, B. (2015). The Art of Writing Biographies: An Objective Approach . Oxford University Press.

Lejeune, P. (2016). On Autobiography . University of Minnesota Press.

Mandela, N. (1995). Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela . Macdonald Purnell.

Miller, R. (2014). The Self as the Subject: Autobiography Writing . Stanford University Press.

Morris, E. (1979). The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt . Coward, McCann & Geoghegan.

Obama, B. (1995). Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance . Crown Publishing Group.

Schiffrin D., & Brockmeier J. (2012). Narrative Identity and Autobiographical Recall. Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements, 70 , 113-144.

Smith, J., Davis, M., & Thompson, S. (2012). Third Party Narratives: An Exploration of Biography Writing . Cambridge University Press.

Smith, S., & Watson, J. (2010). Reading Autobiography: A Guide for Interpreting Life Narratives . University of Minnesota Press.

Sweet, R. (2010). Biographical Dictionaries and Historiography. Bibliothèque d’Humanisme et Renaissance, 72 (2), 355–368.

Wiesel, E. (1960). Night . Hill & Wang.

Williams, T. (2019). The Importance of Facts in Biographies . HarperCollins.

Wright, R. (1945). Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth . Harper & Brothers.

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

Difference Between Biography and Autobiography (With Table)

Biography and autobiography are two literary genres that revolve around the life stories of individuals. Despite sharing a common subject matter, there are distinct differences between these two forms of literature. While both biography and autobiography aim to tell the life story of an individual, they differ in terms of authorship and perspective. In this article, we will discuss the similarities and differences between biography and autobiography with the help of a table and other key differences.

Table of Contents

Biography Vs Autobiography (Chart)

Biography	Autobiography
Biography refers to a written account of someone else’s life, usually written by a third-party author.	An autobiography refers to a written account of one’s own life, written by the person themselves.
It is written in the third person point of view	It is written in the first-person point of view
For biography, research is required to gather information from primary and secondary sources	In this case, the author writes from their own perspective and relies on their own memory
Biography is intended for a general audience interested in learning about the subject’s life.	It is intended for a specific audience interested in learning about the author’s life
It can be written anytime.	It is usually written later in life.
“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson, and “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.	“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.

Difference Between Fiction and Nonfiction
Difference Between Race and Ethnicity
Difference Between Technical and Creative Writing

What is Biography?

A biography is a written account of a person’s life story, written by another person. It is an objective account of the life of an individual, including significant events, accomplishments, and notable contributions. A biographer conducts extensive research to gather information about the individual, including interviews with family members, friends, and colleagues. Biographers often use primary sources such as diaries, letters, and other personal documents to gain a deeper understanding of the subject’s life.

A biography can be written in various formats, including a chronological account of the subject’s life, a thematic approach that focuses on specific aspects of the individual’s life, or a combination of both. Biographies can be written for a wide audience or targeted to a specific demographic. Biographies can also be written in different styles, such as academic or popular, depending on the intended readership.

What is Autobiography?

An autobiography is a written account of a person’s life story, written by the individual themselves. It is a first-person account of one’s life experiences, providing insights into the author’s thoughts, feelings, and personal perspectives. Autobiographies often provide a deeper understanding of the subject’s life, as they offer unique insights into the individual’s thought processes and motivations.

Autobiographies can also be written in various formats, including a chronological account of the author’s life, a thematic approach that focuses on specific events or experiences, or a combination of both. Like biographies, autobiographies can be written for a wide audience or targeted to a specific demographic.

Key Differences Between Biography and Autobiography

While comparing biography and autobiography, here we have included some of the key differences between them. They are as follows.

Authorship: The most significant difference between biography and autobiography is authorship. A biography is written by another person, while an autobiography is written by the individual themselves. Biographies are therefore objective accounts of the subject’s life, while autobiographies are subjective accounts of the author’s experiences.
Perspective: Biographies offer an outsider’s perspective on the subject’s life, while autobiographies offer a first-person perspective. Autobiographies provide unique insights into the author’s thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences. On the other hand, biographies rely on interviews and primary sources to gain a deeper understanding of the subject’s life.
Purpose: Biographies are often written to provide an objective account of an individual’s life. On the other hand, autobiographies are often written to offer a personal perspective on the author’s life experiences. Biographies can also be written to provide insights into historical events or cultural movements. In contrast, autobiographies are often written for therapeutic or personal reasons.

The following comparison table also shows the difference between biography and autobiography in a brief manner.

comparison table for difference between biography and autobiography

3 Similarities between Biography and Autobiography

Both genres aim to tell the life story of an individual. Whether written by an author or the individual themselves, both biographies and autobiographies aim to provide a comprehensive account of the subject’s life experiences.
Both genres rely on extensive research to gather information about the subject’s life. Biographers conduct interviews and use primary sources to gain a deeper understanding of the individual’s life, while autobiographers draw on their personal experiences and memories to create a first-person account.
And finally, both genres can be written in various formats, including a chronological account of the subject’s life or a thematic approach that focuses on specific events or experiences.

In conclusion, biography and autobiography are two distinct genres that share a common subject matter. whether you prefer reading about the lives of others or writing about your own experiences, both biography, and autobiography offer rich and engaging narratives that can inspire, educate, and entertain readers for generations to come.

Basir Saboor

Forecasting Vs Prediction: What’s the Difference?

Regulation Vs Statute: Understanding the Difference

different between autobiography and biography

Home Office Vs Coworking Space: Choosing the Best One

Difference Between Market And Marketing (With Table)

One comment.

Pingback: Fact Vs Opinion : Examples and 7 Differences (With Table)

5 Key Differences between Autobiography and Biography [with Examples]

Last Updated on July 20, 2022 by Dr Sharon Baisil MD

Introduction

Many people define autobiography as a story about themselves, written by themselves. But what about biography? Is that a story about someone, written by someone who is not themselves? And if not, how do these two categories differ? This article will unveil the answers to these questions and give you some examples to help you understand the key differences. So scroll on to read more about the different types of biography!

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a book that a person writes about their own life. As a result, an autobiography encompasses all the features of biography but is written or narrated by the author himself. They may compose on their own or outsource the composition to ghostwriters.

The narrator’s character sketch, as well as information about his birthplace and upbringing, education, employment, life difficulties, and accomplishments, are described in the autobiography. Events from his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood may all be included.

What is a Biography?

An in-depth account of a person’s life produced or written by another person is a biography, also known as a “bio.” It provides detailed information about their birthplace, educational history, employment, connections, and death. It looks at the highs and lows of a person’s life, analyzes their entire personality, and reveals the subject’s secrets.

It’s when another person puts words together to replicate a particular person’s life. To captivate the readers in the tale, the author collects all of the information on the topic and presents it in a relevant and fascinating biography.

5 Key Differences Between an Autobiography and Biography

In the following points, I go into detail about the difference between biography and autobiography:

The distinction between an autobiography and a biography is who writes the book. The person the book is about always writes their autobiography. Other than the book’s subject is almost always the author of a biography.

For instance, famous people who have already lived a long life span can write life stories that are sometimes known as biographies, autobiographical novels, and memoirs.

The individual discussed in the story writes their autobiography. On the other hand, biographies may be written by anybody and about anybody, and Biographies may offer less realistic portrayals of a person’s personal experiences, explaining this.

Narrative Voice/Point of View

The narrative voice is another aspect that distinguishes biography from autobiography writing. First-person stories (using I and me) are used in autobiography writings. Third-person narratives are used to write biographies, and this is a much less intimate third-person narrative.

The first person point of view (I, me, my) gives the experience and thoughts of one person or an entity in a certain situation.

In the third-person point of view you have “he” was born on Tuesday 30th September 1948 in Liverpool he has been married three times but divorced twice his first wife died after giving birth to their son by her death Robert suffered a mental breakdown he moved into the house with his father who later committed suicide.

Level of Objectivity

In comparison to an autobiography, a biography is more objective. Biography writers normally investigate data via a journalistic study effort that may include investigating archives of occurrences and speaking with the book’s subject and others.

Rather than including input from other sources, an autobiography writer usually bases the content on their recollections of events. Biographies are written to introduce and educate the reader about the individual, whereas autobiographies are authored to express, through words, the narrator’s life experiences and accomplishments.

Unauthorized vs. Authorized

The book is written with the collaboration and permission of the person it refers to if that person is authorized. If not, it is written without their permission. An autobiography is always authorized, even if it is unauthorized.

There is no rule against self-authored autobiographies. But, when a writer creates a biography about someone else, the situation becomes more complicated. Autobiographies, on the other hand, need no permission to be written!

Timeline: Both forms of writing are most commonly written in chronological order, and this means that they write events from birth to death or the present day.

Purpose: although different people may write memoirs and biographies, both share the same purpose: telling a story about an individual’s life and experiences.

Kind of Information

Biographies give readers a different perspective since they contain information obtained from many sources over a long period. On the other hand, autobiographies are authored by the individual himself, and the author portrays events and his philosophy, giving readers an overall restricted and biased viewpoint.

Some Famous Examples of Autobiographies & Biographies for Better Understanding

Biography and autobiography are the most basic non-fiction genres. A biography is a non-fiction account of the life of an individual or group, while an autobiography is similar but focuses on telling events in a person’s lifetime. Both can write accurate stories about their subjects without bias: biographer David McCullough said he wanted his book “1776” to tell “the story as it happened.”

The book is not precisely the same as an autobiography, even though it is written by the individual. Memoirs, unlike autobiographies, focus on a specific incident or aspect of a person’s life rather than the whole narrative. The tone of a memoir is usually informal and emotional.

Autobiography Examples

Our Anne Frank Reading Comprehension, ideal for students interested in autobiographical writing, will introduce them to this form of writing by focusing on one of the most well-known examples .

I am Malala

Malala Yousafzai tells the narrative of her remarkable life in I Am Malala : The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. At a very early age, she was an outspoken supporter of education as a youngster in Pakistan. Consequently, she was shot in the head by Taliban members when she was 15 years old. She spoke about her experiences at the UN after recovering from her trauma and returning to school.

Many autobiographies worth mentioning include Helen Keller’s “The Story of My Life,” Jawaharlal Nehru’s “My Autobiography,” Anne Frank’s “Diary of a Young Girl,” and Winston Churchill’s “Memoirs of the Second World War.” P. is an actor born in Australia and moved to England in the early 2000s. J. is the final letter in the alphabet. Abdul Kalam, among others, is mentioned.

Biography Examples

In his biography of Steve Jobs , journalist and author Walter Isaacson tell one of the most important persons in the technology business. Isaacson spent over two years researching Jobs’ life and spoke with more than 100 individuals who knew him to tell this tale. The author has narrated the story of Jobs’ life in biography form by piecing together accounts from those who lived, loved, worked with, competed with, and were influenced by him.

And other famous biographies include Florence Nightingale, Snow White, Mary Mackillop, and more.

Memoir Example

Born a crime.

In Born a Crime , Trevor Noah discusses another aspect of his life as a stand-up comedian and host of The Daily Show. Noah’s early years as a multiracial kid in South Africa during apartheid are the subject of this memoir, which he wrote with his white father and black mother. Noah’s existence was unlawful because interracial relationships were prohibited in his country. This book gives fresh insights into the author’s upbringing in difficult times under extraordinary circumstances and is written in a light storytelling style that is both touching and funny.

Final Words

All autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs accomplish one thing: they tell a person’s non-fictional life story. Each, however, is distinctive in its way, as you can see.

Most Read Articles in 2023:

Hi, I am a doctor by profession, but I love writing and publishing ebooks. I have self-published 3 ebooks which have sold over 100,000 copies. I am featured in Healthline, Entrepreneur, and in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology blog.

Whether you’re a busy professional or an aspiring author with a day job, there’s no time like now to start publishing your ebook! If you are new to this world or if you are seeking help because your book isn’t selling as well as it should be – don’t worry! You can find here resources, tips, and tricks on what works best and what doesn’t work at all.

In this blog, I will help you to pick up the right tools and resources to make your ebook a best seller.

What’s the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

If you’ve ever set foot in a bookstore, you’ve likely come across both autobiographies and biographies that tell about the lives of notable individuals. Let’s take a look at the most important differences between these non-fiction books.

A picture of Steve Jobs and his autobiography

What is a biography?

Typically written in the third person, a biography is a detailed story about a living or deceased person’s life. A third party writes this non-fiction account of someone’s life. Let’s say Person A is a famous singer who recently passed away. Person B researches and writes a fact-based story on the famous singer’s life from start to finish. Person B’s factual story of Person A’s life is a biography.

Types of biographies

Biographies don’t always take the same approach or follow the same structure. Some are more official, while others get more creative. Writers can choose from a few common biography types, including:

Authorized biographies, which received the subject’s input and/or permission.
Unauthorized biographies, which were written without the subject’s approval or input.
Biographical novels, which were inspired by a real person’s life, but feature embellishments that may make the story more interesting.
Group biographies, which focus on groups of people rather than a single person.

Get the most out of your documents with Word

Elevate your writing and collaborate with others - anywhere, anytime

Examples of biographies

Each biography is a window into someone’s life, offering unique insights and perspectives. From the struggles of historical figures to the triumphs of artistic icons, biographies are not just informative but can also be deeply inspiring. Here are a few examples:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is a biography that describes the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were extremely important for medical research.
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie is a biography that describes Catherine the Great’s origins and rise to power as a Russian empress.
Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera details the painter’s life and famous works.

What is an autobiography?

Usually written in the first person, an autobiography is when the author writes about their own life. This subjective account is unique because it allows the author to share details of their life that another writer might not have been able to uncover.

Types of autobiographies

There are two main types of autobiographies: complete autobiographies and memoirs. In a complete autobiography, the author begins their story with their roots or birth and ends the autobiography at their current age. In a memoir, the author writes about a specific period of their life. For example, a famous actor may begin a memoir by sharing their first role in a movie, rather than sharing details about the beginning of their life or their childhood.

Examples of autobiographies

Autobiographies offer a unique lens into the lives of their authors, providing firsthand accounts of their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Here are a few examples of notable autobiographies:

In Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, Yogananda provides a first-hand account of his life and spiritual growth.
In The Story of My Life by Helen Keller, Keller shares her life from birth until she was 22. She shares how she learned to communicate despite being blind and deaf.
In The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, he shares his life from childhood through adulthood and how he impacted the civil rights movement.

In summary, a biography is a story of someone’s life, written by a different person, versus an autobiography where an author writes about their own life.

Why should you read biographies (or autobiographies)?

Biographies and autobiographies are a great way to get an in-depth look at the lives of politicians, musicians, historical figures, innovators, and more. If there’s a famous person that you admire, there’s likely a biography written about them or an autobiography that they wrote themselves that can teach you more about their accomplishments.

If you’re interested in writing a biography or autobiography, see how you can write, research, and organize a book using OneNote . Whether you’re just putting together your first draft or you’re still outlining your story , you can elevate your writing in real time with Microsoft Editor .

Get started with Microsoft 365

It’s the Office you know, plus the tools to help you work better together, so you can get more done—anytime, anywhere.

Topics in this article

How to write a plot twist in your story

When executed carefully, a plot twist has the power to shock and dazzle your reader. Learn how you can incorporate one into your writing.

Woman sitting on a rock writing in a journal

What's the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?

Explore the differences between memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies.

When to use 'while' vs. 'whilst'

“While” and “whilst” are usually interchangeable, but not always. See how they differ and learn how to use them effectively.

What is touch typing (and why is it important)?

Learn about the benefits of touch typing and how it can help you type faster and more accurately.

Everything you need to achieve more in less time

Get powerful productivity and security apps with Microsoft 365

Explore Other Categories

How To Write An Autobiography

Autobiography Vs Biography

Last updated on: Aug 7, 2024

Autobiography vs. Biography - What are the Differences?

By: Cordon J.

12 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Aug 7, 2024

Have you ever wondered about the differences between an autobiography and a biography?

You may have heard of these two terms before, but do you know how they are different from each other? Unfortunately, many people think that both could be used interchangeably, and that both are the same.

Well, you're in luck, because in this blog, we'll explore autobiographies and biographies and their unique perspectives on people's lives. This blog will go over the key differences between biographies and autobiographies so you can make a decision easily.

So without further delay let’s get started!

On this Page

What is an Autobiography?

An autobiography is a book written by someone about their life. Autobiographies are written in the first person throughout because the writer is the protagonist and the main character of the story.

The purpose of writing an autobiography is to provide a detailed account of the narrator's accomplishments and life events.

The autobiography style generally begins with early childhood and proceeds chronologically, listing all of a person's experiences throughout their life.

Autobiographies include information about where someone grew up, their career, life choices, accomplishments, and challenges they overcame.

Related Blog: Click here to discover the various types of autobiography .

Elements of an Autobiography

Let's explore these key components of an autobiography:

First-person narrative: An autobiography is written in the first person, which means that the author tells their story using the pronoun "I."
Personal tone: As the author is writing about their own experiences and insights, autobiographies often have a more personal and introspective tone.
Comprehensive coverage: Autobiographies aim to cover the entire life story of the author, from their childhood to the present. This can include pivotal events such as the author's birth, family life, education, relationships, etc.
Life experiences and motivations: Autobiography informs the audience about the author's life experiences, motivations, and perspectives. This can include the author's beliefs, values, and goals.
‘The Story of My Life’ by Helen Keller
‘The Diary of a Young Girl’ by Anne Frank

Here's a short sample autobiography:

I was born and raised in a small town in rural America. Growing up, I always felt like there was something more out there for me, something beyond the fields and farms that surrounded me. I had big dreams of seeing the world and making a difference in it.

After finishing high school, I decided to take a leap of faith and move to the city to pursue my dreams. I didn't have much money or many connections, but I was determined to make it work. I worked odd jobs and took night classes at a local community college, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.

Eventually, I found my passion in the field of social work. I went back to school and earned a degree in social work, and then started working at a local non-profit organization. I loved the work and felt like I was making a real difference in people's lives.

But I still had bigger dreams. I wanted to see more of the world and make an even greater impact. So, I started applying for jobs overseas and was eventually offered a position in a developing country. It was a huge risk, but I knew it was what I had to do.

Living and working in a foreign country was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I learned so much about different cultures and ways of life, and I felt like I was truly making a difference in the lives of the people I was working with.

Now, many years later, I have accomplished many of the things I once dreamed about. I have traveled to all seven continents, worked in some of the most challenging places in the world, and made a difference in the lives of countless people. It hasn't always been easy, but it has always been worth it.

Looking back on my journey, I realize that it all started with a simple dream and the courage to take a chance. I am grateful for every experience and every opportunity that has brought me to where I am today.

Follow the link to uncover the secrets to writing an astonishing autobiography, with this “ how to write an autobiography ” guide.

What is a Biography?

A biography is a history of a person's life written by someone else. Biographies are often written about famous individuals and personalities like sportsmen, motivational speakers, inspirational figures, etc.

Biographies also cover the subject's entire life. Therefore, it is crucial to include important information about the person's place of birth, education, childhood experiences, partnerships, and so on.

Elements of a Biography

Here are some key components of biography:

Third-person perspective: Biographies are written in the third-person perspective. That means that the author tells the subject's story using pronouns such as "he," "she," or "they."
Chronological order: Biographies are typically organized in chronological order. It means that biographies are structured according to the timeline of the subject's life.
Formal and impersonal tone: Biographies are often more formal and impersonal in tone than autobiographies. The author may use a more scholarly writing style and avoid revealing personal thoughts and feelings.
Comprehensive coverage: Biographies are meant to provide a comprehensive account of the subject's life. It covers all of the important events and milestones in their life, from their childhood to their achievements, and legacy.
Accuracy: Biographies are often used as historical or educational resources. Therefore, it is important that the information presented is accurate and well-researched.
‘His Excellency: George Washington’ by Joseph J. Ellis
‘Einstein: The Life and Times’ by Ronald William Clark

Here is a short biography sample:

John Smith was born on October 1, 1985, in New York City. From a young age, John was interested in science and technology, and he spent much of his childhood tinkering with electronics and building robots. In high school, he excelled in his science and math classes and won several science fair competitions.

After graduating from high school, John attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and earned a degree in electrical engineering. While at MIT, he developed a prototype for a new type of renewable energy technology, which earned him a grant from the National Science Foundation.

After completing his studies, John started his own company to commercialize his renewable energy technology. Over the next few years, the company grew rapidly and became one of the leading providers of renewable energy solutions in the country.

In addition to his work in renewable energy, John has also been a strong advocate for science education and has given many talks and presentations at schools and universities around the country. He is also a mentor to several young scientists and engineers and has helped many of them launch their own successful careers in the field.

Today, John continues to lead his company and is constantly working on new innovations in the renewable energy space. He is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in the industry and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his work.

Looking for an exceptional biography to read? Click on the link to read one for inspiration!

Autobiography vs. Biography - Key Differences

There are a few significant distinctions between biographies and autobiographies, despite the fact that they may appear to be similar.

Let’s take a look at some significant and key differences between the two.


	The difference between an autobiography and a biography is who writes the book. The autobiography is always written by that person himself.	In the case of a biography, it is NEVER written by the subject or the main character of the book.
	A book in the first-person point of view is generally an autobiography since it is about the author's own experiences.	Because the author is describing someone else's events, a biography is usually written in the third person.
	An autobiography is always legal, regardless of its status.	An authorized biography documents the life of someone who has given his or her approval and cooperation for the book's publication. Unauthorized biographies, on the other hand, do not have such consent and cooperation.
	An autobiography author generally relies on his or her personal recollections of events rather than incorporating input from other sources.	A biography is more objective than an autobiography. Biography writers collect information, including reading records of events and interviews with the book's subject and other individuals.

The difference between an autobiography and a biography is who writes the book. The autobiography is always written by that person himself.

In the case of a biography, it is NEVER written by the subject or the main character of the book.

A book in the first-person point of view is generally an autobiography since it is about the author's own experiences.

Because the author is describing someone else's events, a biography is usually written in the third person.

An authorized biography documents the life of someone who has given his or her approval and cooperation for the book's publication. Unauthorized biographies, on the other hand, do not have such consent and cooperation.

An autobiography is always legal, regardless of its status.

A biography is more objective than an autobiography. Biography writers collect information, including reading records of events and interviews with the book's subject and other individuals.

An autobiography author generally relies on his or her personal recollections of events rather than incorporating input from other sources.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job

Similarities between an Autobiography and a Biography

Although they are distinct genres, biographies and autobiographies do have some things in common.

Primary and Main Goal - The main goal of both types of books is to tell the story and life events of a person's life.
Non-fiction Works - Autobiographies and biographies are nonfiction works that document significant events in a person's life. You can safely say that that is a kind of nonfiction novel that presents the facts.
Prominent Figures as Subjects - Biography or autobiography is typically used to tell the stories of well-known people who have made remarkable achievements. Based on these similarities, many people wrongly think that they are the same.

Based on these similarities, many people wrongly think that they are the same.

Get a closer look at this autobiography vs biography worksheet we've designed for you!

Autobiography vs Biography Worksheet

Are Autobiography and Memoir the Same?

A biography includes the life of an individual, whereas a memoir is not necessarily an autobiography.

An autobiography, as the name implies, is a book that includes details like the person’s life story in chronological order. A formal, non-fiction style is employed.

A memoir focuses on a specific incident or component of someone's life rather than the complete narrative. Writing a memoir is more casual and emotional in nature.

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

Here is a complete comparison chart that displays the key differences between all three kinds of works.

Autobiography	Biography	Memoir
Written by the main character himself	Written by someone else	An account of a specific timeframe
1st person narrative	3rd person narrative	1st person narrative
Subjective in nature	Objective in nature	Subjective in nature
Personal facts and account	Researched facts	Personal experience
Written to informant motivate	Write to inform and create a context	Written to explore and reflect
Personal thoughts and feelings	More impersonal facts	Personal thoughts and feelings
Written later in life	Written any time in life	Written any time in life

Curious to learn the differences between autobiographies and memoirs in detail? If so, click on this link to get your questions answered!

In an autobiography, the subject is telling a story about their own life. In a biography, someone else tells the story of someone's life. Both are important and interesting, but they both have different perspectives to offer.

With so many options out there, we hope this blog helps narrow your search for one that best suits your interests!

Still, feeling unsure about how to start your autobiography or biography? MyPerfectPaper.net can help!

Our professional essay writing service is here to guide you. We have a team of experts who can assist you in writing an essay that meets all academic requirements.

So, don't wait any longer, visit our website where you can " pay someone to write my paper " at the most budget-friendly rates!

Experience the future of writing with our essay generator . Try it now and see the difference!

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is better: biography or autobiography.

Both of these works are different from each other so no one could say for sure which one is better. Both are written for the same purpose and, therefore, besides the usual differences, both of them serve an important purpose.

What are the 4 types of biography?

Here are the 4 types of biography;

Historical fiction
Academic biography
Fictional academic
Prophetic biography

All 4 are different from each other and have different purposes also.

What is the difference between an autobiography and an autobiographical narrative?

An autobiography is a complete account of a person’s life, written and told in the person’s own words. However, when only a few events are narrated, it becomes an autobiographical narrative.

Is autobiography a narrative?

An autobiography is a nonfiction narrative. It means that though the stories and events are true it is told in a storytelling format.

How long is an autobiography?

Usually, an autobiography is between 200 to 400 pages long.

Can a book be both biography and autobiography?

No, a book cannot be both biography and an autobiography at the same time. A biography is a written account of someone's life as written by someone else. In contrast, an autobiography is a written account of someone's life written by the person themselves.

Law, Education

Cordon. is a published author and writing specialist. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years, providing writing services and digital content. His own writing career began with a focus on literature and linguistics, which he continues to pursue. Cordon is an engaging and professional individual, always looking to help others achieve their goals.

Was This Blog Helpful?

Keep reading.

How To Write An Autobiography: Tips, Ideas & Guidelines to Write Your Life Story

Different Types of Autobiography Writing With Examples

How to Write an Autobiography Format Easily?

Autobiography vs. Memoir - How Are They Different?

Autobiography Examples: Inspiration & Guidelines to Get You Started

What’S The Difference Between A Biography And An Autobiography?

Jenny Zhang

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter

Biographies and autobiographies are two prominent genres in the realm of literature, each offering unique insights and perspectives into the lives of individuals. While they both focus on recounting someone’s life story, there are fundamental differences that distinguish one from the other.

Definition and Perspective

A biography is a written account of a person’s life, typically written by someone else, providing an objective perspective on the individual’s experiences, achievements, and challenges. It presents a comprehensive overview of the subject, drawing from various sources and perspectives to offer a well-rounded portrayal. On the other hand, an autobiography is a self-written narrative where the author recounts their own life story, offering a firsthand perspective on events and emotions. In autobiographies, readers delve directly into the author’s personal experiences and reflections, gaining insight into their inner thoughts and motivations.

Authorship and Narration

One of the primary distinctions between a biography and an autobiography lies in the authorship and narration of the story. In a biography, the author is an external individual who conducts research and interviews to compile a comprehensive account of the subject’s life. Biographers often aim to provide an unbiased and thorough depiction of the individual, drawing from various sources to present an accurate portrayal. In contrast, an autobiography is authored by the individual whose life is being documented, providing a deeply personal and subjective narrative. The author’s firsthand account offers a unique perspective on their life story, allowing readers to witness events through their eyes.

Reliability and Bias

Given the difference in authorship, biographies are typically considered to be more objective and reliable in terms of factual accuracy and historical context. Biographers strive to present a well-rounded and unbiased portrait of their subjects, drawing on extensive research and multiple perspectives to provide an accurate depiction. The external perspective of the biographer often lends credibility to the narrative, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the subject’s life. In contrast, autobiographies may be influenced by the author’s perspective, memories, and emotions, introducing elements of bias and subjectivity into the narrative. While autobiographies offer a deeply personal account of the author’s life, readers must consider the subjective nature of the storytelling.

Purpose and Audience

Biographies are often written to offer readers a comprehensive understanding of notable figures in history, literature, politics, or entertainment. They serve to illuminate the achievements and impact of the subject on society, providing valuable insights into their contributions and legacy. Biographies cater to a diverse audience interested in learning about influential individuals and their impact on various spheres of life. Autobiographies, on the other hand, are deeply personal narratives that provide insight into the author’s motivations, struggles, and triumphs. They offer readers a glimpse into the author’s journey, allowing for a deeper connection and understanding of their experiences. Autobiographies appeal to readers seeking a more personal and intimate exploration of an individual’s life.

While both genres are valuable sources of insight into the human experience, understanding the distinctions between biographies and autobiographies can enrich your reading experience and appreciation for the complexities of individual lives.

Jenny holds a Master's degree in psychiatry from the University of Illinois and Bachelors's degree from the University of Texas in nutritional sciences. She works as a dietician for Austin Oaks Hospital in Austin, Texas. Jenney writes content on nutrition and mental health for the Scientific Origin.

How to discuss reducing sexual frequency as you age with your partner?

10 key points to cover when discussing sexual relationship agreements?

How to establish and respect sexual boundaries in a relationship?

15 Tips and Techniques for Women Who Cannot Reach Orgasm

12 Reasons Why Tesla’s Cybertruck Is a Terrible Car and a Useless Truck

man in white t-shirt sitting beside white and black short coated dog

Why Cats Hate Dogs So Much

brown and white short coated dog lying on bed

Can Dogs Detect Cancer In Humans?

Why Are Some Babies Born With a Tail?

Difference Between Biography and Autobiography

A biography is a written account of the life of a person written by someone else, while an autobiography is a written account of a person’s life written by that person themselves.

Comparison Table

Biography	Autobiography
Written by someone else	Written by the person themselves
Focuses on the subject’s life and achievements	Focuses on the author’s life and experiences
May include information not personally known by the author	Only includes information personally known by the author
Can include interpretation and analysis	May be more straightforward and factual

Table of Contents

What is Biography?

A biography is a written account of the life of a person, often including information about the person’s childhood, education, career, relationships, and death. Biographies can be written about historical figures, celebrities, or everyday people, and can be written in a variety of styles, from academic to literary. They often include information that is not personally known by the author, and may include interpretation and analysis of the subject’s life and achievements.

What is Autobiography?

An autobiography is a written account of a person’s life that is written by that person themselves. It is a first-hand account of the person’s own experiences, memories and feelings. An autobiography is often used as a way for a person to tell their own story, and can cover a wide range of topics, including childhood, family, education, career, relationships, and personal growth. Autobiographies can be written at any point in a person’s life, and can range from a simple memoir to a more complex and reflective work. It is often more straightforward and factual than a biography, as it is based on the author’s own experiences and thoughts.

Main Key Difference Between Biography and Autobiography

A biography is written by someone else, while an autobiography is written by the person themselves.
A biography focuses on the subject’s life and achievements, while an autobiography focuses on the author’s life and experiences.
A biography may include information that is not personally known by the author, while an autobiography is based on the author’s own experiences and knowledge.
A biography can include interpretation and analysis of the subject’s life, while an autobiography is often more straightforward and factual.
A biography is a third person account of a person’s life, while an autobiography is a first person account of a person’s life.
A biography is usually written after the subject’s death, while an autobiography is usually written while the author is still alive.
A biography is often a comprehensive account of a person’s life, while an autobiography may focus on a specific period or aspect of the author’s life.
A biography can be written about anyone, whether they are famous or not, while an autobiography is typically written by someone who has achieved some level of fame or notoriety.
A biography may have more objectivity, while an autobiography is more subjective.
A biography can be written by a professional writer, researcher, or historian, while an autobiography is usually written by the person themselves or with the help of a ghostwriter.
A biography may contain critical analysis, while an autobiography is more personal reflection.
A biography may cover the person’s entire life, while an autobiography may focus on a specific period or event in the author’s life.

In conclusion, biographies and autobiographies are both forms of non-fiction literature that offer readers a glimpse into the lives of real people. However, they are quite different in terms of their perspective, focus, and style. A biography is written by someone else and provides a third person account of a subject’s life and achievements, while an autobiography is written by the person themselves and offers a first person perspective on their own experiences and reflections. While both have their own unique value, they offer readers a chance to learn about and understand the lives of others in different ways. Whether you’re interested in learning about historical figures or gaining insight into the life of a celebrity, reading a biography or autobiography can provide a fascinating and enlightening experience.

Sajius Islam is a creative writer who enjoys Blog & Content Writing. He received his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree from Guwahati University, Guwahati. He loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and exploring new cultures.

Difference between folktale and fable, difference between science and religion, difference between hp pavilion and lenovo legion, difference between jit and kanban, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Difference Between | Descriptive Analysis and Comparisons

Search form, difference between autobiography and biography.

Key difference: A biography is a detailed non-fictional account of someone's life. It is an overview of the person’s life, including the basic facts such as education, work, relationships, and death and the person’s experiences of these events. An autobiography is a biography that is written by the subject himself.

A biography is written by another person; the writer depicts the events in the subject’s life. An autobiography is a biography that is written by the subject himself. It is just like a biography and incorporates all the elements of a biography. The only way it differs from a biography is that instead of being written by a third person author, it is written by the subject themselves. The ‘auto’ in autobiography means ‘self’. Hence, an autobiography is a self-biography. The subject may or may not have used the help of a ghost writer to write the autobiography. A ghost writer helps a person write a work but is often unaccredited for it.

Biographies and autobiographies focus on all the important information in the subject’s life, including birth, youth, adulthood, education, career and death. However, if the work focuses on just one aspect of the life, or on one particular event, as opposed to encompassing the entire life of the subject, it is termed as a memoir. Biographies and autobiographies are meant to give a panoramic view of an entire life. A memoir can also be biographical or autobiographical.

A biography can be authorized or unauthorized. An authorized biography is written with the permission and input of its subject. An unauthorized biography is written without the permission or input of its subject. Hence, an unauthorized biography may be prone to contain errors as the information may not be correct and the subject need not give the correct information. However, an autobiography need not be authorized or unauthorized, as the subject is writing about his own life, he does not require permission.

There are various advantages for writing a biography over an autobiography and vice versa. Having a biographer write you story is preferable as the author is a professional writer and his writing will be more dignified than an amateur’s. Also, biographies tend to maintain a more objective tone than autobiographies, so the reader is more likely to get a story from several angles, rather than be just directed by the subject’s view. Furthermore, biographers often spend years studying their subjects. This allows them to provide insights into the subject’s motivations and contexts as well as the events.

However, an advantage to writing an autobiography is that the subject will have more insight in to the story and events than a biographer, as the subject has lived through it. After all, who know more the subject and the subject’s life events than the subject themselves? An autobiography can be a much more intimate and revealing than a biography due to the subject’s own insight.

Image Courtesy: styleceo.com, booksshouldbefree.com

Thanks it's the best info

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 14:17

Add new comment

Difference between Biography and Autobiography

When you read a biography or an autobiography, you read about a person’s life, right?

Summary Table


An account of a person’s life	An account of one’s own life
Written in third person	Written in first person
Is objective	Is subjective
Presents information collected from the subject, his/her acquaintances, or from other sources	Presents facts as they were experienced
Has the purpose of informing and presents the context	Has the purpose of informing and of explaining the motivation and thoughts behind some actions
Has restricted access to the subject’s thoughts and feelings	Offers access to these thoughts and feelings

Descriptions

A biography is an account of a person’s life. It is non-fictional and an objective rendering of information about everything that has shaped the individual and has made him/her famous.

Biographies are usually written about famous people like writers, artists, movie stars, or people who stood up against an oppressive system. This piece of writing tries to explain the context of their lives and actions – what made them who they are and caused them to write, to act, or to take a stand. This is why the person writing a biography must be very knowledgeable and well-informed. Years of study are required.

Please enable JavaScript

This type of writing is usually more subjective and is filled with emotions and personal accounts, impressions, and resolutions which have led to that person’s great achievements. It must not be fictional, but it still is just one person’s opinion on a series of events which may include other people as well.

Biography vs Autobiography

To write a biography, the writer will have to collect facts, usually from other people or from other written texts. The author of an autobiography, however, will tell things as he/she experienced them. The biography author is compelled to be objective, while the author writing his own account can present personal opinions.

Expert Publishing Services
917-922-1339
[email protected]

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: Differences of Each Type

How to Outline a Novel Before You Start Writing

A person interacting with the amazon.com home page

The Best Way to List and Sell Your Book on Amazon

autobiography

Do you ever get confused when trying to differentiate between an autobiography, biography, and memoir? If so, you’re not alone—these three genres are often used interchangeably, but each one actually requires its own unique approach. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences of each type and provide some handy tips on how best to write them all!

Introducing the different genres of writing—autobiography, biography, and memoir

Three genres that often get jumbled together are autobiography, biography, and memoir. While they may seem similar at first glance, each genre has its own unique characteristics. An autobiography, for example, is a first-person account of someone’s life, typically written by the subject themselves. A biography, by contrast, is a third-person account of someone’s life, written by someone else. And a memoir is a focused, often thematic account of a particular period or experience in someone’s life. Knowing the distinctions between these genres can help you decide which approach is best for telling your own story or for crafting a compelling biography or memoir.

Understanding the differences between autobiography, biography and memoir

Autobiography, biography, and memoir are often confused with each other. An autobiography is a book written by the author about their own life experiences. In contrast, a biography is a book written by someone else about another person’s life experiences. Finally, a memoir is a book written about a specific time or event in the author’s life. These three genres require different approaches to writing and reading. Autobiographies are generally more personal, while biographies generally intend to provide a more objective view of a person’s life. Memoirs allow for a deeper exploration of a specific period of time or event.

Exploring the benefits of writing an autobiography

Writing an autobiography can serve as a time capsule for one’s life experiences and also act as a vehicle for personal growth and self-reflection. Through the process of writing, individuals have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Additionally, an autobiography can be an invaluable resource for future generations by providing them with a window into the past and the inner workings of their ancestors. If you’re looking for a way to capture your life story and leave a meaningful legacy, writing an autobiography might be a good idea.

Discovering the advantages of writing a biography

A biography records the life and accomplishments of a person. A biography can provide insight into the individual’s beliefs, accomplishments, and experiences that shaped their life. Writing a biography requires research , attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of the individual’s life. It takes time and effort. By capturing a person’s story in writing, we can learn from their life experiences and be inspired to pursue our own passions and dreams. Writing a biography can be challenging, but the end result is a rewarding tribute to a person.

Examining the unique aspects of writing a memoir

Writing a memoir is an incredible way to tell your story and leave a lasting legacy. What makes a memoir unique is that it is not just about recounting facts or events. It is more so about exploring the deeper meaning and emotions behind those experiences. It requires a delicate balance of vulnerability and objectivity, as you must be willing to share personal details while also maintaining a sense of clarity and purpose. To truly connect with your audience, it is important to infuse your writing with your own voice and personality, making the story feel authentic and relatable.

Making efficient use of resources when writing your story

Making an efficient use of resources will help create a compelling story that resonates with readers. Whether it’s time management, research, or even word choice, every decision plays an integral role in crafting a well-structured narrative. One useful tool for maximizing your efficiency is outlining your story beforehand, allowing you to flesh out characters and plot points in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, don’t be afraid to take advantage of resources such as writing groups, online tutorials, and feedback from industry professionals who can provide valuable perspective and insight into your work.

As you now know, autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs each have their own unique focus, purpose, and advantages. Writing your life story can be rewarding and fulfilling. Having a writing partner experienced with these genres to guide you on your journey can be invaluable in producing the story you want to tell. If it is time to tell your story―whether fact or fiction―contact Elite Authors today! We will help you choose the genre that best fits your project goals while helping you craft a stunning personal account that is sure to capture the imagination of readers everywhere.

How Long Should a Chapter Be? Averages by Genre

The Difference Between a Writer and an Author

The Power of Book Series: Engaging Readers for the Long Haul

Need help moving your files from createspace to kdp, let us help you move your book for free..

Core Differences

We Provide Comparison for All Terms

6 Crucial Difference between Biography and Autobiography

What is the difference between biography and autobiography?

Biography and autobiography are traditional forms of literature that describe a person’s life journey. The two documents view the events that happen in the past.

The article provides some insights into the difference between biography and autobiography in tabular form for easier understanding.

What Is Biography?

Biography is a detailed account of a person’s life produced by another person. The core parts are the birthplace, education details, work, relationship, and death.

Besides that, it provides information about the pros and cons of analyzing the personality of the person. It is normally in a written form but can be composed in other forms of literature.

Every single information collects tends to be facts about the person and they are put in written words for future references.

What Is Autobiography?

Autobiography is a life journey of a person written by himself or herself. The document contains all the details present in the biography but they are written by the person himself.

The core areas highlighted in the autobiography are the character, place of birth, education, work, life experience, challenges, and achievement.

Besides that, it may contain events or stories during childhood, teenage, and adulthood. Also, the narrator gives the character sketch of a person.

Comparison Chart: Biography Vs Autobiography


Meaning	It is an account that tells someone else life story	It is an account that provides your life story.
Written in	Third-person	First-person
Aim	Objective	Subjective
Authorization	Can be written with or without authorization	Not required
Core Purpose	To inform	To express and inform
Outlook	Based on facts collected	Full of emotions and thoughts

Core Difference between Biography and Autobiography

The biography provides an account of a person’s life while autobiography provides an account of your life story
Biography is written in the third person whereas autobiography in the first person
Biography tend to be objective while autobiography subjective
The biography presents information based on facts collected while autobiography has a lot of emotions and thoughts.
The main aim of the biography is to inform whereas an autobiography is to express and inform.
Biography can be written with or without authorization while autobiography does not need authorization.

Comparison Video

There is plenty of biography and autobiography in the world today. Some can be in the form of written literature or videos or audios. You can pick the one that suits your needs.

The core difference between biography and autobiography is the author such that biography is written by someone while autobiography by oneself.

More Sources and References

Autobiography. Wikipedia
Autobiography and Biography . Britannica

Difference Between Autobiography and Biography

Main difference – autobiography vs biography.

Biography and Autobiography are two forms of literature that are often confused to be the same due to the similarity in their meaning. Both are accounts of an individual’s life, but the difference exists in the authorship. The main difference between autobiography and biography is that the autobiography is a life story of a person written by that person himself while biography is a life story of a person written by another person.

What is an Autobiography

An autobiography is a written account of the life of a person written by that person himself. In simple terms, it is the story that a person wrote about himself. The term “Autobiography” was first used by William Taylor in 1797. An autobiographer describes various events, memories of his childhood, youth, and adulthood. However, an autobiography does not contain the complete events of the author’s life.

In the recent past, autobiographies have increasingly become popular. Many celebrities, politicians, as well as ordinary people, are becoming more interested in writing their autobiographies. Sometimes autobiographies are written with the help of ghostwriters and collaborators.

Some famous autobiographies include “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank, “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson Mandela, “An Autobiography” by Jawaharlal Nehru, and the “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass.

Difference Between Autobiography and Biography

What is a Biography

Biography is a book about an individual’s life written by another person. The term “Biography” is originated from the two Medieval Greek terms “bios” and “graphia” meaning life and writing respectively. The author of a biography is known as a biographer. A biographer must do a thorough study of his subject’s life so that he can present an accurate receipt of the events in the subject’s life. In most cases, biographies are written after the death of the person and are therefore more complete in recounting the events in his life.

“The Life of Charlotte Brontë” by Elizabeth Gaskel, “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson, “A Beautiful Mind” by Sylvia Nasar, and the “Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman” by Robert K. Massie are some examples of popular biographies.

Main Difference - Autobiography vs Biography-

The key difference between an autobiography and a biography lies in their authorship ; an autobiography is an accounting of an individual’s life written by the individual himself while a bibliography is an account of an individual’s life written by someone else. Another difference that results from this disparity in authorship is that an autobiographer is more knowledgeable about the subject (his own life) than a biographer. In addition, a biography could be called more complete than an autobiography as an autobiography cannot cover the whole life of the author. Another difference that can be noted between these two from of nonfiction is that autobiographies are sometimes written with the help of a ghostwriter whereas biographies do not employ ghostwriters. Apart from this, an autobiography can be often subjective as they describe the writer’s own life, but biographies most often remain objective and deal with facts.

Image Courtesy:

“Long Walk to Freedom” by Source. (Fair use) via Wikipedia

“A Beautiful Mind (book)” by Source.(Fair use) via Wikipedia

About the Author: admin

Difference Between Autobiography and Biography

• Categorized under Language , Miscellaneous | Difference Between Autobiography and Biography

An autobiography is technically a work that describes a life that is created by that individual. In general this refers to a book that is written by the individual about their life. Autobiographies can vary in their artistic and reporting approach. Some may be intentionally entertaining and other intentionally informative. Typically they are intended to be fairly accurate regarding hard facts. Something that is common among some autobiographies is the work of a ghost-writer. A ghost writer may have a varying role in different projects. For example in one work they may simply create an outline or edit a work. In others,Â they may actually help in the writing of the text. Usually if a ghost-writer writes the entire book you would expect the work to be labeled a biography.

A biography is also a work that describes a life. These works however are created by an individual other than the individual that the work is about. Biographies are typically considered to be accurate in regard to hard facts also. These works however are instances where differences even in the reporting of hard facts become evident. Some biographies, especially when written about living individuals can be the cause of controversy and the terming ‘unauthorized biography’ has become rather common. These distinctions and the greater possibility of revealing unwanted information attract a number of individuals to biographies for reading. Biographies can be written by anyone and about anyone. As a result it is less common that ghost-writers work on biographies, but it isn’t unheard of.

Autobiographies and biographies can provide information that is collected through time consuming research. It can inform an audience and bring them closer to the people they want to know. Many however, shouldn’t be considered the same types of reference works as encyclopedias and dictionaries.

Recent Posts
Difference between Hypothesis and Theory - August 20, 2009
Difference Between Jews and Christians - August 17, 2009
Difference Between Jealousy and Envy - August 12, 2009

Sharing is caring!

Search DifferenceBetween.net :

Difference Between Autobiography And Memoir
Difference Between Memoir and Biography
Difference Between Author and Writer
The Difference Between Autoethnography and Autobiography
Difference Between Fiction and Non-Fiction

Cite APA 7 lance, r. (2009, August 28). Difference Between Autobiography and Biography. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-autobiography-and-biography/. MLA 8 lance, raa. "Difference Between Autobiography and Biography." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 28 August, 2009, http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-autobiography-and-biography/.

Difference Between Author and Writer | Difference Between | Author vs Writer
Difference Between Fiction and Non fiction | Difference Between | Fiction vs Non fiction
Difference Between Autobiography And Memoirs | Difference Between | Autobiography And Memoirs

Leave a Response

Name ( required )

Email ( required )

Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Written by : lanceraa. and updated on 2009, August 28 Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages.

Advertisments

Top Difference Betweens

Get new comparisons in your inbox:, most emailed comparisons, editor's picks.

Difference Between MAC and IP Address
Difference Between Platinum and White Gold
Difference Between Civil and Criminal Law
Difference Between GRE and GMAT
Difference Between Immigrants and Refugees
Difference Between DNS and DHCP
Difference Between Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Difference Between Men and Women
Difference Between Book value and Market value
Difference Between Red and White wine
Difference Between Depreciation and Amortization
Difference Between Bank and Credit Union
Difference Between White Eggs and Brown Eggs

Analyzing The Meaning Of Art

Bibliography or Autobiography? Let’s Clear the Confusion

Confused about the terms “bibliography” and “autobiography”? You’re not alone. They sound similar but serve vastly different purposes. Whether you’re writing a research paper or exploring literature, knowing the difference can come in handy, and I’ve got the answers for you.

The main difference between a bibliography and an autobiography is that a bibliography is a detailed list of the sources used in a research paper or book, while an autobiography is a self-written account of a person’s life, telling their own story.

There’s more to these terms than just these basic definitions. Stick around, and let’s dive into the details together!

Definitions and Origins

What is a bibliography.

A bibliography is a list of the books, articles, and other sources that have been used or referenced in a research paper or book. It includes details such as the author’s name, title of the work, publisher, and publication date.

A bibliography serves as an acknowledgment of the sources and provides a path for readers to find and consult the original materials.

What is an Autobiography?

Unlike a biography, which is written by someone else about a person’s life, an autobiography is penned by the person themselves.

Related : Biography or Bibliography? Know the Difference Today!

Structural Differences

How is a bibliography organized.

A bibliography is a systematically organized list. Depending on the citation style, it may include:

How is an Autobiography Composed?

An autobiography is organized more like a novel or narrative. It often includes:

Common Usage and Contexts

Where will you find a bibliography, where will you find an autobiography.

They can be public, like a published book, or private, like a personal journal.

Practical Examples and Insights

Examples of bibliographies.

Here are examples of how bibliographies might be used:

Examples of Autobiographies

Comparison table.

Aspect	Bibliography	Autobiography
Definition	List of referenced works	Self-written life story
Purpose	Cite sources, avoid plagiarism	Share personal experiences
Structure	Organized list with specific details	Narrative with chronological order
Common Usage	Academic papers, non-fiction books	Standalone books, memoirs
Examples	Research papers, scientific reports	Famous personal accounts

How is an Autobiography Different from a Memoir?

While both an autobiography and a memoir are written by the person about their own life, a memoir tends to focus on specific events or periods, often with more emotional insight. An autobiography, on the other hand, typically covers a broader span of the author’s life.

How is a Bibliography Different from a Reference List?

Can anyone write an autobiography.

Absolutely! Anyone can write an autobiography. It’s a personal account of your life and can be a wonderful way to reflect, preserve memories, and share experiences. You don’t have to be famous to have a story worth telling.

I am very curious and I love to learn about all types of subjects. Thanks to my experience on the web, I share my discoveries with you on this site :)

different between autobiography and biography

IMAGES

VIDEO

COMMENTS

Difference between Biography and Autobiography

Content: Biography Vs Autobiography

Definition of Biography

Definition of Autobiography

Key Differences Between Biography and Autobiography

Video: Biography Vs Autobiography

You Might Also Like:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Biography vs Autobiography: Similarities and Differences

Biography vs Autobiography

Origins of Biographies

Key Characteristics of Biographies

Examples of Biographies

2. Autobiography

Origins of Autobiographies

Key Characteristics of Autobiographies

Examples of Autobiographies

Similarities and Differences Between Biographies and Autobiographies

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Difference Between Biography and Autobiography (With Table)

Biography Vs Autobiography (Chart)

What is Biography?

What is Autobiography?

Key Differences Between Biography and Autobiography

3 Similarities between Biography and Autobiography

Basir Saboor

Forecasting Vs Prediction: What’s the Difference?

Regulation Vs Statute: Understanding the Difference

Home Office Vs Coworking Space: Choosing the Best One

Difference Between Market And Marketing (With Table)

5 Key Differences between Autobiography and Biography [with Examples]

Introduction

What is an Autobiography?

What is a Biography?

5 Key Differences Between an Autobiography and Biography

Narrative Voice/Point of View

Level of Objectivity

Unauthorized vs. Authorized

Kind of Information

Some Famous Examples of Autobiographies & Biographies for Better Understanding

Autobiography Examples

I am Malala

Biography Examples

Memoir Example

Final Words

Most Read Articles in 2023:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

What’s the difference between a biography and an autobiography?

What is a biography?

Types of biographies

Get the most out of your documents with Word

Examples of biographies

What is an autobiography?

Types of autobiographies

Examples of autobiographies

Why should you read biographies (or autobiographies)?

Get started with Microsoft 365

Topics in this article

How to write a plot twist in your story

What's the difference between a memoir and an autobiography?

When to use 'while' vs. 'whilst'

What is touch typing (and why is it important)?

Everything you need to achieve more in less time

Explore Other Categories

Autobiography vs. Biography - What are the Differences?

What is an Autobiography?

Elements of an Autobiography

What is a Biography?

Elements of a Biography

Autobiography vs. Biography - Key Differences

Similarities between an Autobiography and a Biography

Are Autobiography and Memoir the Same?

Autobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the 4 types of biography?

What is the difference between an autobiography and an autobiographical narrative?

Is autobiography a narrative?

How long is an autobiography?

Can a book be both biography and autobiography?

Was This Blog Helpful?