formal autobiography

An autobiography is a narrative account of a person's life written by that person. It offers a unique perspective, shaped by memory, which can include both conscious and unconscious distortions. While less formal autobiographical writings like diaries and letters exist, a formal autobiography is typically a book-length work.12

The genre has ancient roots, with examples like the Shiji by Sima Qian in the 2nd century BCE. However, modern Western autobiography is generally considered to have emerged during the Renaissance in the 15th century. Notable early examples include the writings of Margery Kempe and Pope Pius II. Throughout history, autobiographies have taken various forms, focusing on different aspects of life, such as religious conversion, intellectual development, or personal adventures.123