Autobiography vs. Biography

'Every English language learner has thought about the differences between 'autobiography' and 'biography' at least once. Here, I'm gonna show you.

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both of these words refer to someone's life story and events. However, an 'autobiography' is written by that person himself/herself whereas, a 'biography' is written by another person.

Main Differences

When someone writes his/her own life story, it is called an 'autobiography'. Look below:

If everyone writes his/her autobiography, we will have the stories of billions of people that have happened at the same time.

Has Albert Camus written his autobiography?

However, if we write the life story of someone else, it is called, a 'biography'. Look at the following examples:

I've known her so well I could write a biography of her life.

So, how long has it been since you first started working on John Irving's biography?

Similarities

Both of them indicate someone's life story. Check out the following examples:

I plan on writing an autobiography someday.

This week, we will be reading some parts of Helene Cixous' biography.

Are They Interchageable?

Although both of these words refer to someone's life story, they cannot be used interchangeably because they are not completely the same. Compare:

✓ We're going to read St. Augustine's autobiography.

Here, the autobiography has been written by St. Augustine himself.

✓ We're going to read St. Augustine's biography.

Here, the biography has been written by someone else.

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