Autobiographies

An autobiography is a self-written narrative of a person’s life, typically presented in the first person and organized to convey the author's experiences and their interpretation of those experiences. The scope can be broad, covering childhood to the present, or selective, focusing on defining periods, themes, or achievements. Autobiographies may follow a chronological order or be arranged thematically, and they often place personal events within historical, social, or cultural contexts.

The genre aims to reveal not only what happened but how the author understood and felt about those events. Common elements include childhood, education, career, relationships, pivotal moments, and personal reflections. Autobiographies are usually distinguished by their emphasis on the individual’s perspective, although some works blend biographical and self-reported material.

Autobiography is sometimes contrasted with memoir and biography. A memoir tends to center on specific experiences or periods and may be more thematic or introspective, whereas a biography is written by someone else and covers a life from an external viewpoint. In practice, the boundaries among these forms are flexible, and works may mix features of autobiography, memoir, and biography.

Style and structure vary widely. Some autobiographies are linear and documentary, while others are reflective, episodic, or experimental. They often rely on memory, sensory detail, and anecdote to convey meaning, but editors and publishers may influence scope and emphasis.

Reliability is a common topic of discussion, since autobiographies are subjective by nature. Memory biases, selective recall, and deliberate self-presentation can affect accuracy. Despite this, autobiographies remain valuable for personal insight and as historical and cultural sources. Notable examples include The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Saint Augustine’s Confessions, Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom, Helen Keller’s The Story of My Life, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley).