Comparing different perspectives: Various sources often offer diverse viewpoints on the same events or aspects of a person's life. By comparing multiple sources, biographers gain a more balanced understanding and avoid bias or reliance on a single narrative.
Verification of information: Biographers can verify facts and details by cross-referencing them across multiple sources. This process increases the accuracy of the biography, minimizing the risk of relying on unreliable or inaccurate information from one source.
Contextual understanding: Consulting diverse sources provides context and insights about the historical, social, cultural, and political backgrounds that shaped the subject's life and achievements.
Discovering new information: Different sources may contain unique information or anecdotes that are not available elsewhere. By exploring multiple sources, biographers can uncover lesser-known aspects of the subject and provide a more complete portrait of their lives.
Evaluating reliability: Biographers assess the reliability and trustworthiness of each source by considering their authorship, biases, and potential motivations. Consulting multiple sources helps determine their credibility and select reliable information.