1. Selection Bias:
* Limited Access to Information: Biographers rely on available sources, which are often incomplete or biased themselves. Diaries, letters, and official records may be missing, distorted, or deliberately manipulated.
* Choosing What to Include: Biographers make choices about which events, people, and perspectives to highlight. Even seemingly neutral choices reveal the author's priorities and biases.
* Focus and Interpretation: Every biographer brings their own lens to the subject's life. They might prioritize certain aspects, interpret events based on their own values, and draw conclusions that others might dispute.
2. Authorial Bias:
* Personal Opinions and Beliefs: Even the most objective writer has their own values, experiences, and preconceived notions. These inevitably shape their understanding of the subject's life.
* Sympathy or Antipathy: The biographer might admire or dislike the subject, which influences how they portray their actions, decisions, and character.
* Desire to Tell a Compelling Story: Biographers often want to write an engaging narrative, which can lead them to emphasize certain aspects of the subject's life over others, potentially skewing the overall picture.
3. The Subject's Influence:
* Control Over the Narrative: The subject of a biography may have a degree of control over the information available to the biographer. They might choose to present themselves in a particular light, withhold information, or even actively participate in the writing process.
* The "Legacy Effect": Biographies are often written long after a person's death, when their influence on history is established. This can lead to a more romanticized or idealized portrayal, ignoring the complexities and contradictions of their life.
It's important to remember:
* Multiple Biographies: Reading multiple biographies of the same person can provide a more balanced view by showcasing different perspectives.
* Critical Reading: Being aware of potential biases allows for critical analysis of biographical accounts, considering the author's background, the chosen sources, and the overall tone of the narrative.
In essence, no biography can be completely objective. It's always a story told from a particular perspective, shaped by the author's choices and the limitations of available information.