Best writer biographies

The best biographies of writers cut through the gossip, the scandals, the myths, and the legends to deftly balance the life of the author with their literary legacy. This list features the best literary biographies of writers who penned classic works across more than four hundred years of literary history. The 30 Best Biographies of All Time Biographer Richard Holmes once wrote that his work was “a kind of pursuit writing about the pursuit of that fleeting figure, in such a way as to bring them alive in the present.” At the risk of sounding cliché, the best biographies do exactly this: bring their subjects to life. Early years First steps Professional growth Public recognition Peak period Later years Public interest Professional activity Media attention
Uncover extraordinary lives with our list of the best biographies of all time. From historical figures to modern icons, discover the books that tell it all.