Autobiography

The word ‘Autobiography’ is of Greek origin which literally translates to self’life-to write. This form of writing dates back to 400 A.D. when a Christian missionary, Saint Augustine wrote one. However, the original term was coined around 1800 A.D. when an English poet Robert Southey first used it. Most modern autobiographies are written with the help of a writer along with the person whom it is written about. It can be referred to as a sincere attempt to express one’s ideas about life and views on different aspects of life. This genre is a result of a number of writings in history. Sometimes the intention is just to express oneself, not necessarily for others. Some autobiographies were intended to influence the contemporary thinking. All these attempts, whether knowingly or unknowingly developed into a form of prose called autobiography. There are 3 main components of an autobiography and those are the description of one’s life of the subject, what life means to oneself and one’s outlook towards future. Finally it is concluded by a brief summary of the entire work. There have been many famous autobiographies in the history of civilization. The autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is considered most read.