• Looks at the origins and development of biographical writing
• Considers why certain historical periods and figures arouse so much interest
• Looks at the relationship between biographies, history and fiction
• Examines the impact of religion on the development and direction of biographies
• Reveals the ways in which biographers write their stories - from the start and close, to the tone they use, and the rhetorical devices they employ

 
Biography is one of the most popular, best-selling, and widely-read of literary genres. 

But why do certain people and historical events arouse so much interest? How can biographies be compared with history and works of fiction? Does a biography need to be true? Is it acceptable to omit or conceal things? Does the biographer need to personally know the subject? Must a biographer be subjective? 

In this Very Short Introduction Hermione Lee considers the cultural and historical background of different types of biographies, looking at the factors that affect biographers and whether there are different strategies, ethics, and principles required for writing about one person compared to another. She also considers contemporary biographical publications and considers what kind of 'lives' are the most popular and in demand. 
 
 
Reading Guide
  
The Very Short Introductions Podcast Episode 21: Biography