Why can a biography written by a friend of its subject be less objective?

A biography written by a friend of the subject may be less objective because the author’s personal relationship can complicate the fundamental responsibility of a biographer: to vigorously test the authenticity of collected materials and maintain historical truth.12

While a biographer’s task is to examine their subject's perspective against multiple, often contradictory sources, a close personal connection can introduce bias or emotional influence that challenges this impartiality. Furthermore, biographers often face an ethical dilemma regarding how much truth to reveal, as they must balance the obligation to preserve historical accuracy against the potential for inflicting personal anguish on the subject or their associates.12

Ultimately, because there is no universally agreed-upon standard of "biographical morality," a biographer who is also a friend must navigate these conflicting loyalties on their own, which can lead to concerns about whether the narrative prioritizes the subject's reputation or the objective historical record.2