How to start a biography of a person

“There is properly no history; only biography.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The capstone offers an opportunity for students to engage in the challenges of writing historical biography.

We reflect on the ways that biographers explore individual lives in the context of wider historical forces – how biographers connect the public and private lives of their subjects, and how they engage in careful historical research to craft engaging narratives.

We begin by reading and discussing award-winning historical biographies alongside more theoretical discussions of the craft of biography.

How to write a biography of a dead person

Students then undertake original historical research on an individual of their own choosing. Together, through our weekly meetings, we form an enthusiastic and supportive writing workshop.

— Ariane Liazos, Faculty

Overview

Pre-capstone

This course teaches students the research and writing skills they need to write historical biography.

It is interdiscipli