Here's a slightly more nuanced way to think about it:
An authentic biography strives to be accurate and truthful, relying primarily on verifiable information and sources.
Here's why it's important to go beyond simply "discarding" anything not backed up:
* Sources are not all created equal: A newspaper article may be a reliable source for some information, but a personal blog post may not be. A biographer must carefully evaluate the credibility of each source and the context in which information is presented.
* Interpretation is unavoidable: Even with the most verifiable information, a biographer will still need to interpret and synthesize the facts. This means making choices about what to focus on, how to present the information, and what conclusions to draw.
* Biography is a form of storytelling: While accuracy is paramount, a biography can also be engaging and insightful. Biographers use language, narrative structure, and other literary techniques to bring a life story to life.
In short, an authentic biography doesn't just present facts; it aims to offer a nuanced and well-supported understanding of a person's life, acknowledging the complexities of human experience.