What is Biography?

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A biography is a literary work that tells the true story of a person’s life, written by someone else. It provides details about a person’s birth, education, achievements, struggles, and important events in their life. A biography can be written about historical figures, famous personalities, or ordinary people who made an impact.

Features of a Biography

  1. A biography is based on real facts and events from a person’s life.
  2. The story is told by a biographer, not by the person themselves.
  3. It may describe the full life story or focus on the most important moments.
  4. A biography often explains the time period and society in which the person lived.
  5. Some biographies celebrate achievements, while others analyze a person’s impact on history or culture.

Types of Biographies

  • Autobiography – A biography written by the person themselves. Example: The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Authorized Biography – Written with the permission and cooperation of the person or their family.
  • Unauthorized Biography – Written without the subject’s approval, sometimes controversial.

Famous Biographies

  • The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank – A real-life account of a Jewish girl hiding during World War II.
  • Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela – The story of his fight against apartheid.
  • Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson – A detailed biography of the Apple co-founder.

Impact of Biographies in Literature

Biographies help readers learn from real-life experiences and understand historical and cultural changes. They inspire people by showing the success, struggles, and challenges of great individuals.


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