Biography and the historian's craft
David Chandler
8 points * 2 lectures and 1 tutorial per week * First semester * Clayton * Prohibition: HSY3890
Biography is one of the oldest forms of historical writing. This subject covers the history and practice of biographical writing in the modern period. It will consider the influence of psychoanalysis on biography, the differences between `historical' and `literary' biography, and the recent insights of feminist biography. Seminars will discuss selected works in depth and focus on questions of sources, methodology, and on the theoretical issues raised by the writing of biography.
Assessment
Written (6000 words) * Examination (2 hours)
Prescribed texts
Clifford J (ed.) Biography as an art: Selected criticism 1560-1960 OUP, 1962
Edel L Writing lives Norton, 1984
Epstein W Recognizing biography U Pennsylvania P, 1987
Friedson A (ed.) New directions in biography UP Hawaii, 1981