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47 Biography Templates & Examples (Personal, Professional)

A biography is simply an account of someone’s life written by another person. A biography can be short in the case of few sentences biography, and it can also be long enough to fill an entire book. The short biographies explain a person’s basic life facts and their importance, but the long biographies would go an extra mile and include more details to make an interesting read. You may find yourself in a situation which requires you to write a biography of a famous person, a close friend or a relative. For this reason, it pays to know how to come up with a biography and the important details that you should include in it. The lives of many people have interesting bits of information, but you ought to know what to capture in the biography and what to leave out.

Table of Contents

• 1 Biography Examples
• 2 What to include in a biography
• 3 How to write a good Biography
• 4 Steps in writing a biography;
• 5 Biography templates
• 6 A professional Biography Template
• 7 Personal Biography Template

Biography Examples

What to include in a biography

The length of a biography depends on the type of information that should be included. The length will determine the nature of information and how extensively it will explain the life of a person. For instance, if you are to write a short paragraph about a person it will mostly capture the important details that identify the person compared to a pages-long biography that may even include the person’s childhood experiences and achievements shaping their life.

For a short biography, maybe a paragraph or two long, the following details should be captured:

• A person’s date and place of birth, at times with the date and place of death as may be applicable
• The person’s major achievements in life
• Their educational background and notable awards
• Work facts of a person and their contribution to that field if any
• A brief account of the significance of an individual in the community

A lengthy biography will bring out more details of a person’s life making it a bit more complex. His/her history will be brought out more clearly especially the details that shaped them to be the persons they turned out to be.

The target audience will also dictate the nature of the information that is to be included. The relation of the audience to an individual will have an impact on how the information is presented and the important details that they could be interested in. In a case where the audience is unknown, more details will have to be included. This mostly happens in the case of a several paged biography. You will have to scrutinize the person in a more detailed way and establish more people relating to the person. Focusing on the uniqueness of an individual can do wonders in this case and this might turn out to be inspirational to many people. The field that the person has majored in or had majored in ought to influence the direction that the biography will take as this will help to bring out the contribution of the individual to their field of study.

How to write a good Biography

A biography is meant to analyze a person’s life and interpret it as well. A good biographer will try to join the dots and explain certain actions and events that a certain figure was involved in. This will help in clearly bringing out the significance of a person’s life through their accomplishments or remarkable deeds.

Biographies are usually written in a chronological order. Some biographers could also draft them in a themed order that is early life, educational background, a person’s achievements or accomplishments. But some especially the short ones will focus on one area in a person’s life.

There are several sources of information that could aid one in writing an astounding biography. These sources of information can be grouped into either primary sources or secondary sources. The primary sources of information include materials like letters, newspaper accounts or diaries. A biographer can also make an arrangement to interview an individual they want to write about. This is also considered as a primary source of information. The secondary sources are reference books, other biographies or historical records that are related to the subject being written about.

Steps in writing a biography;

• Select the individual you want to write about
• Search for the basic facts that relate to a person’s life. The encyclopedia or almanac could be handy at this.
• What’s the most interesting bit about the person?
• What is the significance of the individual to the society and the world in general?
• What qualities or adjectives will be best suited for the description of the individual?
• What actions or life events bring out the qualities or adjectives chosen above?
• What life events or world events shaped the individual or brought out the best in them?
• Did they face obstacles or take some risks in life? How did they handle the obstacles and did they happen to be lucky?
• What impact did they have in the world? Did they add value to the way people view certain aspects of life? Did they come up with a thing, idea or way of action that transformed the way things are handled or rather done in their societies or world in general?
• Carry out some additional research on the internet to answer some of the questions mentioned above. Ensure that you find information that will help you tell a story that many will love.
• After getting everything in order, you can proceed to write the biography. We have provided sample biographies in this site that you could check out in order to get the drift.

Biography templates

A biography template is meant to specifically aid a writer come up with an excellent biography. For this purpose to be achieved the writer needs to get his/her hands on a high-quality biography template, just like the ones provided on this site.

The best biography templates should provide clear instructions, and this should be in great detail to avoid the risk of the writer missing out some important facts. The templates available on this site will help you capture all of the details.

The biography templates should also be precise and avoid beating around the bush. Going round one idea or item will make the biography boring to read and it is prudent for the writer to be straight to the point. By doing this it will be easier for the readers to skim through and find the details they might be interested in with lots of easy. The writer will also save his/her time and concentrate on writing other things.

The general sections of any biography as outlined by our sample biographies will have;

• The name of the person
• A picture of the person
• An account of their early life
• The person’s family life
• The major achievements of the person
• The three main interesting qualities or facts about the individual

A professional Biography Template

A professional biography is a statement that could either be short or long that is written about a person, business or company. It should be engaging, informative and interesting for the readers to identify with the person or business entity being talked about. It has a sales pitch that is a little bit different. A professional biography template is meant to ease the process of generating printed professional biographies especially for an individual who wants to reach a lot of people or institutions.

Elements that should be captured in a professional biography are:

• A summary of one’s early life in a sentence or two, make it interesting
• Then information touching on your education, mention any academic awards or the clubs and societies that you were part of. Any work experience while in school.
• Talk about how creative and innovative you are with coming with solutions to the problems that you have faced as an individual, mention any situation that you were self-reliant in coming up with solutions
• Mention qualities that make you stand out for instance, being independent, principled or discerning to increase your trustworthiness.

The following tips will enable you to come up with the best professional biography;

• Be brief and precise to the point. This is to enable the reader to easily and quickly get to know about you.
• Be spontaneous in your writing
• Be as expressive as possible and avoid too much of self-editing while drafting the professional biography in the initial stages to capture as much information as possible
• Be friendly but not too informal
• Be as interesting as you could in order to get the attention of many people out there
• Write it in third person. Talk about your life as if someone else were describing it.

This site offers you a professional biography template that could aid in making the generation of professional biographies an easy and less time consuming task. You can also check out sample bios to figure out how to go about the whole process of coming up with a professional biography.

Personal Biography Template

A personal biography is a short account of who you are, your credentials and your notable accomplishments in life. Personal bios ought to be short, precise and relevant to your target audience. The use of personal statistics such as hobbies or family should be avoided. A personal biography template will help one to easily and conveniently come up with personal bios.

The key elements in a personal biography are;

• Give an introduction of yourself. Remember to write it in third person and include the year that your professional career started to be relevant. You could give a list of any relevant specializations in your field.
• State your educational facts and credentials. Mention the degrees that you have pursued and the respective institutions. Add any relevant experiences you have that are required for your career and mention the name of the society that you are legally a member of.
• Proceed to outline any notable achievements or awards you have earned in your practice. Remember that the information ought to be relevant to the audience being addressed. If you happen to be an author you could mention the magazines or any publishing house that has recognized your works.
• Your conclusion should mention any upcoming projects or works in progress that people should lookout for in the near future. Don’t forget to mention your current place of residence .

As you age, it is good to keep on updating your biography to reflect who you are at present time. You can make use of the personal biography template offered by this site to easily and in a more convenient way generate your own biography without missing out on the important details.

We also provide sample biographies to give you a feel of what your end draft should look like. If you have kids and you want to let them in on famous historical figures, this site offers biographies for kids. These will help them know the notable people who help shape the world to what it has become to be.

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Autobiography Examples

How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps (The Non-Boring Way!)

Compelling biographies help us better connect with others while fostering empathy and understanding. Discover the steps to write one that captivates your audience!

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Have you ever been captivated by someone’s life story? From the ancient tales of great conquerors to the modern accounts of influential figures, biographies have enchanted readers and viewers for centuries. 

The stories of real people’s lives not only entertain and educate but also provide a unique window into the human experience. In fact, according to research 1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8796048/ , human stories like biographies can help us better connect with others while fostering empathy and understanding.

In this article, let’s dive into how to write a compelling biography, from the research phase to delivery.

What Are the Key Elements of a Biography?

The key elements of a well-written biography bring characters to life. They include thorough research, relevant interviews, clear structure, captivating prose, compelling themes, and a balance between objectivity and empathy. 

• Thorough research: Helps create an accurate portrayal of your subject
• Relevant interviews: Insights help provide a deeper understanding of your subject
• Clear structure: Helps you outline your ideas for a compelling narrative
• Captivating prose: Provides descriptive language to paint a picture of your subject
• Compelling themes: Showcases the motivations and desires behind your subject
• A balance between objectivity and empathy: Keeps biases in check and allows your subject to shine for who they are

As you develop your biography, remember that these stories hold an enduring appeal because they offer people an opportunity to explore the depths of the human psyche, unravel extraordinary accomplishments, and discover the vulnerabilities and triumphs of individuals who have left their mark on the world. 

Here are the topics a biography typically covers:

• Early life and background : Provide context about the subject’s upbringing, family, and cultural influences.
• Achievements and milestones: Highlight notable accomplishments, contributions, and significant events throughout their life.
• Challenges and struggles: Explore the obstacles they faced, the lessons learned, and how they overcame adversity.
• Personal characteristics: Describe their personality traits, values, beliefs, and motivations that shaped their actions and decisions.
• Impact and legacy: Discuss the lasting influence and contributions of the subject, both during their lifetime and beyond.

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Let’s look at the six key elements of a well-written biography more closely and the steps you can follow to develop your own.

How to Write a Biography in 8 Steps Using Key Elements

Choose your presentation format.

Presenting your biography can take on various forms, the most traditional being written form. The basis for this article assumes you’re writing a conventional biography; however, this foundation can also help you create a multimedia presentation or website as well. 

Consider these various formats to present your biography:

• Traditional Written Biographies: This classic approach provides a comprehensive account of a person’s life through the written word. Traditional biographies can be published in print or ebooks , allowing readers to engage deeply with the subject’s story.
• Multimedia Presentations: In the digital age, multimedia presentations offer a dynamic way to present biographies. Incorporate audio, video, photographs, and interactive elements to enhance the audience’s experience.
• Online Platforms: Online platforms, such as blogs or dedicated biography websites, provide accessible avenues for sharing biographies. They allow for easy updates, reader engagement, and the incorporation of multimedia elements. 

Choose your subject and conduct research

To create a vivid and accurate portrayal of a person’s life, conduct extensive research. Dive into archives, read letters, examine diaries, explore photographs, and immerse yourself in the historical and cultural context surrounding your subject. This will help you unearth the small details that breathe life into your biography. 

Whether you’re writing a biography about a historical figure, contemporary icon, or everyday individual, you’ll want to consider the different factors to focus on. Here are some examples of three types of individuals and the kind of research that will be most helpful.

• Historical Figures: When writing about historical figures, immerse yourself in their era. Understand the social, political, and cultural forces that shaped their lives. I recommend visiting your local library and connecting with a research librarian for support. Otherwise, other tools for historical research include Google Scholar. Analyze primary sources and multiple perspectives to present a well-rounded account.
• Contemporary Icons: Biographies of modern icons offer a chance to delve into their ongoing impact. Conduct interviews or gather insights from their close associates to understand their present-day influence. Stay current with the latest developments, and be prepared to update your work as the subject’s story unfolds.
• Everyday Individuals: Biographies need not be reserved for the famous. Every day individuals possess stories that can be just as compelling. Uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary, highlighting the struggles, triumphs, and personal growth of individuals who might otherwise remain unsung.
• Yourself! Want to write a biography on yourself? Autobiographies are a great way to explore who you are. Get ready to do some serious self-reflection with the steps below.

Pro Tip: Compile your research digitally using helpful cloud filings systems like Google Drive , OneDrive , or Dropbox . Organize your files by category, including information about their youth, family, achievements, and life lessons. You may also choose to write down research references or collect paper clippings on note cards, categorizing your physical files of research along the way.

Develop compelling themes and motifs 

Identify overarching themes or motifs that emerge from the subject’s life. These could be resilience, ambition, love, or societal change. Weave these elements into the narrative, highlighting their significance and impact on the person’s journey. Here are some examples:

• Overcoming Adversity: These biographies feature perseverance, resilience, and determination. Examples include Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai.
• Pursuit of Excellence: These biographies highlight people who have worked tirelessly to achieve their goals. Examples include Steve Jobs, Serena Williams, and Michael Jordan.
• Quest for Knowledge: These biographies focus on the curiosity that led to significant contributions to our world. Examples include Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Charles Darwin.
• Personal Transformation: These biographies explore a change in beliefs, values, or priorities. Examples include Malcolm X, Oprah Winfrey, and Maya Angelou.
• Legacy and Impact: These biographies examine a body of work that made a lasting contribution to society. Examples include Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Conduct relevant interviews 

Whenever possible, seek firsthand accounts from those who knew or interacted with the subject. Conduct interviews with family members, friends, colleagues, or experts in the field. Their insights and anecdotes can provide a deeper understanding of the person’s character and experiences.

When conducting interviews for a biography, consider the following tips to ensure a productive and insightful conversation:

• Familiarize yourself with the interviewee’s background and accomplishments.
• Develop a list of well-thought-out questions that cover key aspects of their lives and experiences, including questions about your subject’s youth, family, achievements, and life transitions or struggles.
• Begin the interview by establishing a comfortable and friendly atmosphere to put the interviewee at ease.
• Show genuine interest in their story and listen actively to their responses.
• Ask open-ended questions encouraging detailed and reflective responses.
• Avoid yes/no questions and ask for their insights, memories, and personal perspectives.
• Some topics you might consider for your questions include early life, achievements, challenges, motivations, values, relationships, lessons learned, and advice.
• Pay close attention to the interviewee’s answers, body language, and tone of voice.
• Ask follow-up questions to clarify or delve deeper into specific topics.
• Show empathy and understanding, creating a safe space for the interviewee to share personal or sensitive information.
• Remain flexible during the interview, allowing the conversation to flow naturally.
• Be prepared to deviate from your prepared questions if unexpected but relevant topics arise.
• Respect the interviewee’s boundaries and be mindful of any topics they may not wish to discuss.
• Take thorough and organized notes during the interview to capture important details.
• Consider recording the interview (with permission) to ensure accurate quotes and references.
• Ask for permission to follow up with additional questions or for clarification.
• Doing a biography on yourself? Ask yourself deep questions to harvest new stories and anecdotes.

Remember, the goal of the interview is to gather valuable information and personal perspectives that will contribute to the authenticity and depth of your biography. Approach the interview process with sensitivity, respect, and genuine curiosity about the interviewee’s life and experiences.

Develop a clear structure

Outline your biography, ensuring a logical and engaging narrative flow. Consider the chronological order, significant milestones, and turning points in the subject’s life. Organize your gathered information to capture the essence of their journey while maintaining a compelling rhythm throughout. 

A good outline for a biography can vary depending on the specific subject and the desired structure of the narrative. However, here’s a general outline that can serve as a starting point:

A. Introduction

a) Hook or engaging opening to capture the reader’s attention

b) Background information (birthplace, date, family, etc.)

c) A brief overview of the subject’s significance or why they are worth exploring

B. Early Life and Background

a) Childhood and upbringing

b) Influences, such as family, education, or cultural factors

c) Formative experiences or events that shaped the subject’s character or interests

C. Major Achievements and Milestones

a) A chronological exploration of the subject’s notable accomplishments, contributions, or milestones

b) Focus on key moments or achievements that highlight their impact or significance.

c) Provide context and details to paint a vivid picture of their achievements

D. Challenges and Obstacles

a) Discussion of the challenges, setbacks, or adversities the subject encountered

b) How they overcame obstacles or grew through difficult experiences

c) Insights into their resilience, determination, or problem-solving abilities

E. Personal Life and Relationships

a) Exploration of the subject’s relationships, such as family, friends, or romantic partners

b) Insights into their personal joys, struggles, or transformative experiences

c) How their personal life intersected with their professional or public achievements

F. Legacy and Impact

a) Examination of the subject’s lasting influence, contributions, or impact on society

b) Discuss how their work or actions continue to resonate or shape the world today

c) Reflection on their legacy and the lessons we can learn from their life story

G. Conclusion

a) Summarize the key aspects of the subject’s life and their significance

b) Provide a final reflection or insight on their overall journey or impact

c) Leave the reader with a lasting impression or call to action

Pro Tip: Looking for help drafting an outline to get you started? Use free tools like ChatGPT to jumpstart your outline by putting in a prompt request like, “Write an outline for a biography about X, including any relevant details on the subject that should be included.”

Craft captivating prose

Employ descriptive language to transport readers into the subject’s world. Paint vivid portraits of their physical appearance, mannerisms, and surroundings. Use sensory details to evoke emotions and create a strong connection between the reader and the subject. 

Here are some examples:

• “She was a force of nature, with a fierce determination and an unwavering commitment to justice.” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg)
• “His piercing blue eyes seemed to look right through you, and his voice had a commanding presence that demanded attention.” (Winston Churchill)
• “She moved with a grace and elegance that belied her inner strength and resilience.” (Audrey Hepburn)
• “His rugged features and piercing gaze made him a natural leading man, but it was his depth and vulnerability that set him apart.” (Marlon Brando)
• “She had a contagious energy and a magnetic personality that drew people to her like a moth to a flame.” (Princess Diana)
• “His quiet intensity and unwavering dedication to his craft made him one of the greatest artists of his time.” (Leonardo da Vinci)

Action Step: While writing descriptive prose takes some practice, it’s an art you can master with little creative writing skills. To help you write descriptive prose, practice closing your eyes and imagining your subject. 

• What expression is on their face? 
• How are they dressed? 
• What does their body language express? 
• How do they smell? 
• How do they make you feel? 
• How do they make others feel? 
• What’s in their surroundings? 
• What are they doing with their hands? 
• What do you imagine they’re thinking about? 

With questions like these, you’ll start to use descriptive language to bring your subject to life.

Build a balance of objectivity and empathy

Strive for an objective portrayal while infusing empathy and understanding into your writing. Remain aware of biases and preconceived notions, giving your subject the space to shine in their unique light. 

To check yourself, filter your writing and interviewing with these tips:

• Verify Information: Cross-reference information from various sources to ensure accuracy. Use tools like Fact Check Explorer to fact-check claims, dates, and events to avoid errors or inaccuracies that could skew the narrative. 
• Multiple Perspectives: Seek out different viewpoints on the subject. This includes interviewing or reaching out to people with significant interactions or relationships with the subject. Incorporating diverse perspectives can counterbalance biases and provide a broader understanding.
• Empathetic Listening: During interviews or conversations, practice active listening and empathize with the interviewee’s experiences and emotions. This allows you to understand the subject’s perspective and incorporate their insights and feelings into the narrative.
• Contextualize Emotions: When sharing the subject’s emotional experiences or personal struggles, provide sufficient context and background. This helps readers understand the motivations and circumstances behind their actions and allows for empathetic understanding without veering into excessive sentimentality.
• Credible Interpretation: While interpreting the subject’s thoughts, motives, or intentions, be clear about what is factual and what is speculative. Clearly distinguish between evidence-based information and your interpretations to maintain objectivity.
• Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of the subject’s privacy and any requests they may have regarding sensitive or personal information. Respecting their boundaries shows empathy and allows for a respectful portrayal while maintaining the necessary level of objectivity.
• Acknowledge Limitations: Recognize that achieving complete objectivity in a biography is challenging. Biases can inadvertently seep into the narrative. However, by being aware of your biases and consciously presenting a fair and balanced account, you can mitigate their influence.

Respect truth, privacy, and sensitivity

Remember, writing biographies carries ethical responsibilities. It’s important to maintain accuracy through credible research and gain consent while being sensitive to controversial or difficult topics. Here are some considerations:

• Accuracy: Maintain a commitment to truth and accuracy. Verify facts and corroborate information from multiple sources to ensure the reliability of your narrative. Cite your sources and be transparent about any uncertainties or gaps in knowledge.
• Privacy and Consent: Respect the privacy of living individuals mentioned in your biography. Seek consent when sharing personal details or sensitive information. Balance the subject’s right to privacy with the importance of honesty and transparency.
• Sensitivity: Approach sensitive or controversial topics with care and empathy. Consider the potential impact of your words on the subject’s loved ones or affected communities—present differing perspectives without sensationalism or bias.

Writing a Biography FAQs

The length of a biography can vary greatly, depending on the subject and the depth of exploration. Some biographies span a few hundred pages, while others extend to multiple volumes. Focus on capturing the subject’s life’s essence rather than strictly adhering to a predetermined length.

Some common mistakes to avoid when writing a biography include the following: Lack of thorough research or reliance on a single source. Inaccurate or misleading information. Excessive personal bias or projection onto the subject. Neglecting to verify facts or failing to cite sources. Poor organization or a disjointed narrative flow. Neglecting to balance objectivity with empathy. Overloading the biography with irrelevant details or digressions. Failing to respect privacy or ethical considerations.

While chronological order is commonly used in biographies, it is not required. Some biographers employ a thematic approach or explore specific periods or events in the subject’s life. Experiment with different structures to find the most engaging way to tell your subject’s story.

The purpose of writing a biography is to capture and share an individual’s life story. Biographies provide insights into a person’s experiences, achievements, and challenges, offering readers inspiration, knowledge, and understanding. They preserve the legacy of individuals, contribute to historical records, and celebrate the diversity of human lives.

When choosing a subject for your biography, consider someone who inspires you, interests you, or has significantly impacted society. It could be a historical figure, a contemporary icon, or even an everyday individual with a remarkable story. Choose a subject with sufficient available information, access to primary sources or interviews, and a narrative that resonates with you and potential readers.

Key elements to include in a biography are: Early life and background: Provide context about the subject’s upbringing, family, and cultural influences. Achievements and milestones: Highlight notable accomplishments, contributions, and significant events throughout their life. Challenges and struggles: Explore the obstacles they faced, the lessons learned, and how they overcame adversity. Personal characteristics: Describe their personality traits, values, beliefs, and motivations that shaped their actions and decisions. Impact and legacy: Discuss the lasting influence and contributions of the subject, both during their lifetime and beyond.

Including personal anecdotes can add depth and humanize the subject of your biography. However, be selective and ensure that the stories are relevant, contribute to understanding the person’s character or experiences, and align with the overall narrative. Balancing personal anecdotes with factual information is critical to maintaining accuracy and credibility.

Conducting research for a biography involves exploring a variety of sources. Start with primary sources such as personal papers, letters, journals, and interviews with the subject or people who knew them. Secondary sources such as books, articles, and academic papers provide additional context and perspectives. Online databases, archives, libraries, and museums are valuable resources for finding relevant information.

Consult a wide range of sources to ensure a comprehensive and accurate biography. Primary sources, such as personal documents, letters, diaries, and interviews, offer firsthand accounts and unique insights. Secondary sources provide broader context and analysis, including books, articles, scholarly works, and historical records. Remember to evaluate the credibility and reliability of your sources critically.

Organize the information in your biography logically and engagingly. Consider using a chronological structure, starting with the subject’s early life and progressing through significant events and milestones. Alternatively, adopt a thematic approach, grouping related information based on themes or significant aspects of their life. Use clear headings, subheadings, and transitions to guide readers through the narrative flow.

Writing Biographies Key Takeaways

In summary, take note of these ideas and tips before you start writing your biography:

• Biographies hold enduring appeal, offering a glimpse into the human experience across time.
• Thorough research, interviews, and captivating prose are essential for crafting compelling biographies.
• Ethical considerations, such as accuracy, privacy, and sensitivity, are crucial when writing about real people’s lives.
• Choose subjects that genuinely inspire and resonate with you.
• Immerse yourself in the subject’s world to understand their motivations and challenges.
• Develop strong research skills and utilize a wide range of sources.
• Craft a compelling narrative that engages readers from the very first page.
• Seek feedback from trusted sources to refine your writing and storytelling abilities.
• Continuously explore new biographies to broaden your understanding of different styles and approaches.
• Embrace the unique voice and perspective you bring to the storytelling process.

Writing a biography book? Check out this helpful article, How to Write a Book: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Start Writing !

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Posted on Jun 30, 2023

How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]

From time to time, nonfiction authors become so captivated by a particular figure from either the present or the past, that they feel compelled to write an entire book about their life. Whether casting them as heroes or villains, there is an interesting quality in their humanity that compels these authors to revisit their life paths and write their story.

However, portraying someone’s life on paper in a comprehensive and engaging way requires solid preparation. If you’re looking to write a biography yourself, in this post we’ll share a step-by-step blueprint that you can follow. 

How to write a biography: 

1. Seek permission when possible 

2. research your subject thoroughly, 3. do interviews and visit locations, 4. organize your findings, 5. identify a central thesis, 6. write it using narrative elements, 7. get feedback and polish the text.

FREE RESOURCE

Biography Outline Template

Craft a satisfying story arc for your biography with our free template.

While you technically don’t need permission to write about public figures (or deceased ones), that doesn't guarantee their legal team won't pursue legal action against you. Author Kitty Kelley was sued by Frank Sinatra before she even started to write His Way , a biography that paints Ol Blue Eyes in a controversial light. (Kelley ended up winning the lawsuit, however).  

Whenever feasible, advise the subject’s representatives of your intentions. If all goes according to plan, you’ll get a green light to proceed, or potentially an offer to collaborate. It's a matter of common sense; if someone were to write a book about you, you would likely want to know about it well prior to publication. So, make a sincere effort to reach out to their PR staff to negotiate an agreement or at least a mutual understanding of the scope of your project. 

At the same time, make sure that you still retain editorial control over the project, and not end up writing a puff piece that treats its protagonist like a saint or hero. No biography can ever be entirely objective, but you should always strive for a portrayal that closely aligns with facts and reality.

If you can’t get an answer from your subject, or you’re asked not to proceed forward, you can still accept the potential repercussions and write an unauthorized biography . The “rebellious act” of publishing without consent indeed makes for great marketing, though it’ll likely bring more headaches with it too. 

✋ Please note that, like other nonfiction books, if you intend to release your biography with a publishing house , you can put together a book proposal to send to them before you even write the book. If they like it enough, they might pay you an advance to write it.  

Book Proposal Template

Craft a professional pitch for your nonfiction book with our handy template.

Once you’ve settled (or not) the permission part, it’s time to dive deep into your character’s story.  

Deep and thorough research skills are the cornerstone of every biographer worth their salt. To paint a vivid and accurate portrait of someone's life, you’ll have to gather qualitative information from a wide range of reliable sources. 

Start with the information already available, from books on your subject to archival documents, then collect new ones firsthand by interviewing people or traveling to locations. 

Browse the web and library archives

Put your researcher hat on and start consuming any piece on your subject you can find, from their Wikipedia page to news articles, interviews, TV and radio appearances, YouTube videos, podcasts, books, magazines, and any other media outlets they may have been featured in. 

Establish a system to orderly collect the information you find 一 even seemingly insignificant details can prove valuable during the writing process, so be sure to save them. 

Depending on their era, you may find most of the information readily available online, or you may need to search through university libraries for older references. 

For his landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, Ron Chernow spent untold hours at Columbia University’s library , reading through the Hamilton family papers, visiting the New York Historical Society, as well as interviewing the archivist of the New York Stock Exchange, and so on. The research process took years, but it certainly paid off. Chernow discovered that Hamilton created the first five securities originally traded on Wall Street. This finding, among others, revealed his significant contributions to shaping the current American financial and political systems, a legacy previously often overshadowed by other founding fathers. Today Alexander Hamilton is one of the best-selling biographies of all time, and it has become a cultural phenomenon with its own dedicated musical. 

Besides reading documents about your subject, research can help you understand the world that your subject lived in. 

Try to understand their time and social environment

Many biographies show how their protagonists have had a profound impact on society through their philosophical, artistic, or scientific contributions. But at the same time, it’s worth it as a biographer to make an effort to understand how their societal and historical context influenced their life’s path and work.

An interesting example is Stephen Greenblatt’s Will in the World . Finding himself limited by a lack of verified detail surrounding William Shakespeare's personal life, Greenblatt, instead, employs literary interpretation and imaginative reenactments to transport readers back to the Elizabethan era. The result is a vivid (though speculative) depiction of the playwright's life, enriching our understanding of his world.

Many readers enjoy biographies that transport them to a time and place, so exploring a historical period through the lens of a character can be entertaining in its own right. The Diary of Samuel Pepys became a classic not because people were enthralled by his life as an administrator, but rather from his meticulous and vivid documentation of everyday existence during the Restoration period.

Once you’ve gotten your hands on as many secondary sources as you can find, you’ll want to go hunting for stories first-hand from people who are (or were) close to your subject.

With all the material you’ve been through, by now you should already have a pretty good picture of your protagonist. But you’ll surely have some curiosities and missing dots in their character development to figure out, which you can only get by interviewing primary sources.

Interview friends and associates

This part is more relevant if your subject is contemporary, and you can actually meet up or call with relatives, friends, colleagues, business partners, neighbors, or any other person related to them. 

In writing the popular biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson interviewed more than one hundred people, including Jobs’s family, colleagues, former college mates, business rivals, and the man himself.

🔍 Read other biographies to get a sense of what makes a great one. Check out our list of the 30 best biographies of all time , or take our 30-second quiz below for tips on which one you should read next. 

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When you conduct your interviews, make sure to record them with high quality audio you can revisit later. Then use tools like Otter.ai or Descript to transcribe them 一 it’ll save you countless hours. 

You can approach the interview with a specific set of questions, or follow your curiosity blindly, trying to uncover revealing stories and anecdotes about your subject. Whatever your method, author and biography editor Tom Bromley suggests that every interviewer arrives prepared, "Show that you’ve done your work. This will help to put the interviewee at ease, and get their best answers.” 

Bromley also places emphasis on the order in which you conduct interviews. “You may want to interview different members of the family or friends first, to get their perspective on something, and then go directly to the main interviewee. You'll be able to use that knowledge to ask sharper, more specific questions.” 

Finally, consider how much time you have with each interviewee. If you only have a 30-minute phone call with an important person, make it count by asking directly the most pressing questions you have. And, if you find a reliable source who is also particularly willing to help, conduct several interviews and ask them, if appropriate, to write a foreword as part of the book’s front matter .

Sometimes an important part of the process is packing your bags, getting on a plane, and personally visiting significant places in your character’s journey.

Visit significant places in their life

A place, whether that’s a city, a rural house, or a bodhi tree, can carry a particular energy that you can only truly experience by being there. In putting the pieces together about someone’s life, it may be useful to go visit where they grew up, or where other significant events of their lives happened. It will be easier to imagine what they experienced, and better tell their story. 

In researching The Lost City of Z , author David Grann embarked on a trek through the Amazon, retracing the steps of British explorer Percy Fawcett. This led Grann to develop new theories about the circumstances surrounding the explorer's disappearance.

Hopefully, you won’t have to deal with jaguars and anacondas to better understand your subject’s environment, but try to walk into their shoes as much as possible. 

Once you’ve researched your character enough, it’s time to put together all the puzzle pieces you collected so far. 

Take the bulk of notes, media, and other documents you’ve collected, and start to give them some order and structure. A simple way to do this is by creating a timeline. 

Create a chronological timeline

It helps to organize your notes chronologically 一 from childhood to the senior years, line up the most significant events of your subject’s life, including dates, places, names and other relevant bits. 

You should be able to divide their life into distinct periods, each with their unique events and significance. Based on that, you can start drafting an outline of the narrative you want to create.  

Draft a story outline 

Since a biography entails writing about a person’s entire life, it will have a beginning, a middle, and an end. You can pick where you want to end the story, depending on how consequential the last years of your subject were. But the nature of the work will give you a starting character arc to work with. 

To outline the story then, you could turn to the popular Three-Act Structure , which divides the narrative in three main parts. In a nutshell, you’ll want to make sure to have the following:

• Act 1. Setup : Introduce the protagonist's background and the turning points that set them on a path to achieve a goal. 
• Act 2. Confrontation : Describe the challenges they encounter, both internal and external, and how they rise to them. Then..
• Act 3. Resolution : Reach a climactic point in their story in which they succeed (or fail), showing how they (and the world around them) have changed as a result. 

Only one question remains before you begin writing: what will be the main focus of your biography?

Think about why you’re so drawn to your subject to dedicate years of your life to recounting their own. What aspect of their life do you want to highlight? Is it their evil nature, artistic genius, or visionary mindset? And what evidence have you got to back that up? Find a central thesis or focus to weave as the main thread throughout your narrative. 

Or find a unique angle

If you don’t have a particular theme to explore, finding a distinct angle on your subject’s story can also help you distinguish your work from other biographies or existing works on the same subject.

Plenty of biographies have been published about The Beatles 一 many of which have different focuses and approaches: 

• Philip Norman's Shout is sometimes regarded as leaning more towards a pro-Lennon and anti-McCartney stance, offering insights into the band's inner dynamics. 
• Ian McDonald's Revolution in the Head closely examines their music track by track, shifting the focus back to McCartney as a primary creative force. 
• Craig Brown's One Two Three Four aims to capture their story through anecdotes, fan letters, diary entries, and interviews. 
• Mark Lewisohn's monumental three-volume biography, Tune In , stands as a testament to over a decade of meticulous research, chronicling every intricate detail of the Beatles' journey.

Finally, consider that biographies are often more than recounting the life of a person. Similar to how Dickens’ Great Expectations is not solely about a boy named Pip (but an examination and critique of Britain’s fickle, unforgiving class system), a biography should strive to illuminate a broader truth — be it social, political, or human — beyond the immediate subject of the book. 

Once you’ve identified your main focus or angle, it’s time to write a great story. 

While biographies are often highly informative, they do not have to be dry and purely expository in nature . You can play with storytelling elements to make it an engaging read. 

You could do that by thoroughly detailing the setting of the story , depicting the people involved in the story as fully-fledged characters , or using rising action and building to a climax when describing a particularly significant milestone of the subject’s life. 

One common way to make a biography interesting to read is starting on a strong foot…

Hook the reader from the start

Just because you're honoring your character's whole life doesn't mean you have to begin when they said their first word. Starting from the middle or end of their life can be more captivating as it introduces conflicts and stakes that shaped their journey.

When he wrote about Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild , author Jon Krakauer didn’t open his subject’s childhood and abusive family environment. Instead, the book begins with McCandless hitchhiking his way into the wilderness, and subsequently being discovered dead in an abandoned bus. By starting in the middle of the action  in medias res, Krakauer hooks the reader’s interest, before tracing back the causes and motivations that led McCandless to die alone in that bus in the first place.

You can bend the timeline to improve the reader’s reading experience throughout the rest of the story too…

Play with flashback 

While biographies tend to follow a chronological narrative, you can use flashbacks to tell brief stories or anecdotes when appropriate. For example, if you were telling the story of footballer Lionel Messi, before the climax of winning the World Cup with Argentina, you could recall when he was just 13 years old, giving an interview to a local newspaper, expressing his lifelong dream of playing for the national team. 

Used sparsely and intentionally, flashbacks can add more context to the story and keep the narrative interesting. Just like including dialogue does…

Reimagine conversations

Recreating conversations that your subject had with people around them is another effective way to color the story. Dialogue helps the reader imagine the story like a movie, providing a deeper sensory experience. 

One thing is trying to articulate the root of Steve Jobs’ obsession with product design, another would be to quote his father , teaching him how to build a fence when he was young: “You've got to make the back of the fence just as good looking as the front of the fence. Even though nobody will see it, you will know. And that will show that you're dedicated to making something perfect.”

Unlike memoirs and autobiographies, in which the author tells the story from their personal viewpoint and enjoys greater freedom to recall conversations, biographies require a commitment to facts. So, when recreating dialogue, try to quote directly from reliable sources like personal diaries, emails, and text messages. You could also use your interview scripts as an alternative to dialogue. As Tom Bromley suggests, “If you talk with a good amount of people, you can try to tell the story from their perspective, interweaving different segments and quoting the interviewees directly.”

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These are just some of the story elements you can use to make your biography more compelling. Once you’ve finished your manuscript, it’s a good idea to ask for feedback. 

If you’re going to publish your own  biography, you’ll have to polish it to professional standards. After leaving your work to rest for a while, look at it with fresh eyes and edit your own manuscript eliminating passive voice, filler words, and redundant adverbs. 

Then, have a professional editor give you a general assessment. They’ll look at the structure and shape of your manuscript and tell you which parts need to be expanded on or cut. As someone who edited and commissioned several biographies, Tom Bromley points out that a professional “will look at the sources used and assess whether they back up the points made, or if more are needed. They would also look for context, and whether or not more background information is needed for the reader to understand the story fully. And they might check your facts, too.”  

In addition to structural editing, you may want to have someone copy-edit and proofread your work.

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Importantly, make sure to include a bibliography with a list of all the interviews, documents, and sources used in the writing process. You’ll have to compile it according to a manual of style, but you can easily create one by using tools like EasyBib . Once the text is nicely polished and typeset in your writing applications , you can prepare for the publication process.  

In conclusion, by mixing storytelling elements with diligent research, you’ll be able to breathe life into a powerful biography that immerses readers in another individual’s life experience. Whether that’ll spark inspiration or controversy, remember you could have an important role in shaping their legacy 一 and that’s something not to take lightly. 

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30 Professional Biography Examples (& Templates)

A biography is a written depiction of the life of a person that includes factual stories and details from their personal lives along with their successes, trials, and failures. Most of us have read biography examples of famous personalities, especially those we admire.

• 1 Biography Examples
• 2 What is an example of a biography?
• 3 Personal Bio Examples
• 4 How do I write a biography about myself?
• 5 Professional Bio Templates
• 6 How to write a short bio?

Biography Examples

What is an example of a biography.

Biography examples have become so popular these days that we even have a cable network devoted entirely to narrating the stories of the lives of famous people. If you plan to make a biography, you can draw inspiration from various bio samples including:

• “Alexander Hamilton,” written by Ron Chernow
• “Into the Wild,” written by Jon Krakauer
• “Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World,” written by Tracy Kidder
• “Steve Jobs,” written by Walter Isaacson
• “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” written by Rebecca Skloot
• “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time,” written by Greg Mortenson
• “Unbroken,” written by Laura Hillenbrand

Personal Bio Examples

How do i write a biography about myself.

Anyone can write their own personal biography. For instance, you may need your own biography examples when seeking employment. Personal bio examples provide a short introduction and a summary of your professional credentials, education, accomplishments, and other relevant information that makes you what you are.

The document provides hiring managers with an idea of why you consider yourself the perfect person for the job. Aside from the employment angle, you can also use a professional bio template on professional websites and networking platforms.

The hardest part when creating biography examples is to get started. Before writing, you should give yourself time to focus, so that you can include all of the information you want to share in an efficient but concise manner. Consider the following tips to create your personal biography:

• Introduce yourself Start with a short introduction that shows the reader who you are. Your first sentence must include your full name, followed by relevant details that you want to emphasize like your certifications, achievements, and education. After this strong first sentence, mention your attributes, skills, personal, and professional values. You can also include other significant details relevant to your goals like your job title, the industry where you work, and the duties of your job. These details are essential for employers looking for employees on various professional platforms.
• Keep things short Remember to keep your personal bio short. Start by having a word count goal although this may vary depending on the focus and purpose of your biography. For a personal bio for employment purposes, it should be at most just one paragraph or a couple of short paragraphs with descriptions of who you are. The most ideal word count will be between 300 – 500 words. Short bios are usually meant to get the attention of the reader and encourage them to continue reading the rest of your CV or resume. Make sure your bio includes your accomplishments, purpose, history, credentials, and education. In case there is a lot of information you would like to include, you need to organize the most relevant information first. Remove any details that have no relevance to your bio’s purpose.
• Use the third person Remember that you’re making a biography, not an autobiography. Although it may sound strange to write about yourself in the third person, there are many advantages to doing so. Writing in the third person allows you to include your complete name. This method works well for search engine optimization as it tells the search engine that the bio is all about you.
• Think strategically while writing There’s nothing wrong with mentioning all of your achievements but you should avoid creating a list that’s too extensive. If you’re finding it difficult to start, ask yourself the following: Who are you writing for? What do you want your readers to learn about you? What life events should you include to show them who you are? If you can compose a compelling story for others to read so that they can learn more about you, you would have differentiated yourself from the competition. You can include narratives that have inspired you to go after your current job or shaped your goals. Using personal anecdotes provides readers with a more profound understanding of your interests. core values, and passions.
• Include your contact details If the biography is the first step for you to communicate with others, the contact details section of your bio encourages your readers to communicate back as it makes you seem more approachable and open. Your contact details should include your email address and links to your professional social media platforms. Generally, you should place your contact details at the end of your bio.
• Edit and revise as needed Remember that your biography is a reflection of you as an editor and a writer. For this, make sure to proofread for spelling and grammatical errors before sending or publishing it. The following are some tips for refining your bio: Avoid editing as you go – just focus on your writing. Edit after writing all of the content. Read your bio out loud to catch any grammatical errors. Also, find areas where you can still improve the structure. Use online editing software to check and grade your bio in terms of readability. Ask friends, co-workers or family members to give you honest feedback on what you can improve. Editing your work is one of the many important steps to ensure that your personal bio is the most professional representation of your accomplishments, character, and background.

Professional Bio Templates

How to write a short bio.

When you talk about online biographies, you can readily come up with a few short biography examples. Social media platforms all have space for a short description of what you do and who you are.

You should take advantage of the 2 to 3 lines you have for short but creative bio examples. If you have limited space, keep your bios short, sweet, and filled with the most significant details strangers should know about you like:

• Your full name
• Your current job title or role
• Your ultimate goal in life
• Your most notable achievement

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38+ Biography Templates with Images – Download in Word & PDF

Experts in various fields are often more than capable of excelling in the arts and sciences, business and sports. However, for some individuals, no matter how affluent they are in their area of expertise, they have a tough time talking about themselves. This makes writing an author’s biography strangely difficult for some people. In today’s world, a biography may be written by another person, or by the individual themselves, such as when an individual need to self-promote themselves on a Kickstarter, website, or self-promote their book. Whatever the reason, biography templates are used for that purpose. These templates can be used for personal or professional endeavors, from authors, business people, athletes and those in the arts and sciences.

Biography templates are an absolute must for any author. Writers need to connect to their fan base, they need to intrigue people, they must present an interesting image of themselves in the world to assist people in becoming familiar with their works. These templates will usually include, but not be limited to: Author’s name, interests, any awards, released and/or upcoming books, collaborations, publishers, where they live and work, along with a website url. Biography templates guide you in knowing what to leave in and what to leave out of the biography.

We are providing up to 15 different biography templates available for immediate use. All of these biography templates are beautifully done and professionally designed in order to create a perfectly written biography. These templates come with gorgeous page designs and border designs. Using our templates, you’ll have no problem filling in the information you need, as all of our templates have fields for you to insert your information, including the imagery of your choice. Our templates are easy to use, just customize, and either save to file or print. Using our beautifully designed templates will assure that your biographies will appear professional and receive the acknowledgement they deserve.

Biography Templates for Microsoft Word

Personal Biography Template 

Faculty biography template.

Biography Examples

We hope these templates and samples will help you writing your own bio with style and professionalism. Thank you for coming on our site. We hope to see you again.

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FREE Biography Templates & Examples

A biography is a written account of a person’s life story, career, or expertise in a particular field or industry. It is factual and focuses on major professional accomplishments and goals, academic achievements, work experience, and skills. It is commonly used in various professional contexts, such as websites, resumes, social media profiles, conference programs, or business introductions. It is written in a storytelling format to make it exciting and engaging to the audience, which can be employers, clients, and collaborators. It can be one page or multiple pages.

Did you know? A study by TheLadders determined that, on average, recruiters spend 6 seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether to assess it further. This emphasizes the need for a brief, concise, and engaging bio.

While traditional biographies are popular among popular personalities like world leaders, artists, actors, and people with remarkable contributions to society, anyone can write a professional biography. The goal of having professional bios is to increase the author’s visibility and credibility.

Also, it is a tool to market their expertise in a particular field and introduce themselves to prospective clients, employers, and collaborators. Additionally, it can indicate the author’s values, mission, and value to gain the reader’s trust and attract like-minded individuals and entities. These are elements that can give professionals a competitive edge over their peers.  

Statistical Insight: According to a survey by CareerBuilder, 57% of employers are less likely to interview an applicant if they do not have an online presence. This illustrates the importance of a bio on social platforms.

Download Free Templates

Following are the biography templates:

First-Person Bio Vs. Third-Person Bio

This article will explain what information to include in a professional bio and provide a Biography template and free examplethat readers can reference to ensure they write effective biographies that benefit their careers and help them expand their professional network.

A first-person bio is written in the first person, and thus uses the pronouns I and me. Such a bio is typically more personal and conversational and is thus meant for informal platforms such as social media profiles and personal websites.

A third-person bio is written in the third person, so the pronouns he, she, or they are used. It is more objective and formal and is used in formal and professional contexts such as job applications and company websites. As a result, determining which type of biography to use requires assessing the situation and context.   

What are Biography Templates?

A biography template is a pre-designed document outlining the format and structure of a biography.

It contains headings and sections of key components of a bio, such as major life events, educational background, expertise, career achievements, and skills. There are multiple benefits to using templates to create professional biographies. Because they are pre-formatted, information can be presented in a professional and logical manner, ensuring that readers do not miss any important details.

When used as guides, they are useful and time-saving tools that help individuals create biographies easily. Templates can also be personalized to add unique components, such as any special skills, certifications, or experiences. 

Essential Components of a Professional Bio

This section delves into the vital components of a professional bio, exploring how each element contributes to presenting a strong professional identity and capturing the attention of the intended audience.

Introduction

• Name: Start with your full name.
• Current role or professional tagline: Identify your current position or what your expertise is.
• Location: Mention where you are based.

Jane Doe is a leading cybersecurity expert based in San Francisco, California.

• Origin: Give details about your upbringing, origins, or cultural background if they are important to understanding who you are.
• Education: Discuss any educational credentials that are important to your bio.

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Jane holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from MIT.

Career Journey and Achievements

• Career progression: Talk about your journey—how you started, how you got where you are, and any pivotal moments.
• Achievements: Highlight key accomplishments in your career, major projects, or notable clients. Emphasize the results.

Jane started her career as an intern at XYZ Corp., rapidly advancing to a team lead position due to her innovative thinking and exceptional problem-solving skills. Under her leadership, her team successfully thwarted a series of potential cyberattacks.

Current Role

• Position and responsibilities: Explain your current role, what you do, and perhaps any special projects you’re working on.
• Skills and strengths: Highlight your unique skills, talents, or experiences that make you stand out.

Currently, as a cybersecurity consultant at ABC Solutions, Jane oversees the security policies of numerous high-profile organizations, ensuring their systems are impenetrable to threats. She stands out in the field due to her expertise in encryption and intrusion detection systems.

Personal Life (optional)

• Hobbies or interests: If it is appropriate and adds something to the bio, do not hesitate to include some personal details about your life outside of work.

When she is not safeguarding networks, Jane enjoys exploring the Californian wilderness and volunteering at her local animal shelter.

Contact Information or Next Steps

• Contact: Tell the reader how they can contact you or learn more about your work.
• Call-to-action: Call-to-action might involve looking at your most recent project, reading your blog, setting up a consultation, etc.

To learn more about Jane’s work or schedule a consultation, please visit her website at www.website.com.

Third Person Pronouns

Remember to use the third person when writing your bio. It makes it easier for others to use your bio in a professional context, and it allows the text to speak for you rather than appearing as though you are speaking about yourself.

Make sure it is a bio that you believe accurately represents who you are and what you have accomplished thus far in your life and career.

Professional Biography Template

[Your Name]: Professional Biography

1. Opening Statement

Start with your current role and the name of your organization. It is often most effective to write in the third person.

“[First name] [Last name] is currently the [Job Title] at [Company Name]…”

2. Professional Background and Achievements

Describe your work history and most notable accomplishments in reverse chronological order. You may want to include:

The name and type of organizations you have worked for (industry, public/private, size)

The roles you have held and your main responsibilities

Key achievements or projects you have worked on

Any promotions or recognitions you have received

“Prior to [Current Company], [First Name] worked at [Previous Company] as a [Previous Job Title], where she spearheaded… Her efforts led to…”

3. Education and Credentials

List any relevant degrees or certifications you hold. This could include:

Undergraduate/graduate degrees and the schools you attended

Continuing education courses or certifications

Any professional designations you have earned

“[First name] holds a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in [field] from [University Name]. Additionally, she has attained certification in…”

4. Skills and Specializations

Highlight the skills and areas of expertise that distinguish you from others. These might include:

Technical skills or tools you have mastered

Languages you speak fluently

Specialized knowledge or expertise you have

“[First name] is proficient in… She has an in-depth knowledge of… Her specialized skills include…”

5. Personal Details and Hobbies (Optional)

If appropriate, you may want to share some details about your life outside of work. This could help make your bio more relatable and engaging. 

“When not at work, [First name] enjoys… She also devotes time to…”

6. Contact Information

Finally, include the best way to contact or connect with you.

“For further information or to connect, you can reach [First name] at [Email Address] or find her on [LinkedIn/Twitter/other professional platforms].”

Please keep in mind that a professional biography should be updated regularly, especially as your roles, responsibilities, and achievements evolve over time.

Biography Examples

Examples of biography are given below:

Personal biography example

Let us imagine a fictional character named John Smith, a successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker. A sample bio of this individual is provided below:

John Smith is a renowned entrepreneur and motivational speaker based in New York City, NY.

Raised in a small town in Texas, John received his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, setting the foundation for his innovative journey into entrepreneurship.

John’s business career began in the heart of Silicon Valley, where he led a fledgling tech start-up from a five-person team to a multinational corporation in less than a decade. His visionary approach and relentless dedication led his company, TechInnovate, to be named Forbes’ “Fastest Growing Tech Company” in 2021.

Currently, John serves as the CEO of TechInnovate, where he oversees strategic growth initiatives and continues to foster a culture of innovation. His distinctive leadership style and expertise in business strategy have been recognized in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and Harvard Business Review.

Aside from his career, John is a dedicated triathlete and an avid reader, believing that a strong body and a keen mind are essential for maintaining his fast paced lifestyle. He actively supports several charities, including Education for All, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational resources for underprivileged children.

Visit www.johnsmith.com to learn more about John’s work, to attend one of his motivational talks, or to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

Remember that your personal biography should be an accurate reflection of you, your experiences, and your professional journey. Feel free to adjust the template as needed based on your specific needs and context.

Personal bio (brief version)

I am Mary Riley, a human resources manager at Farewell Freight and Cargo. I have been in the HR sector for eight years. I enjoy using my human resource management, conflict resolution, and active listening skills to provide and maintain a healthy and productive workplace. I have a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Columbia. I have received the company’s Employee of the Year honors two years in a row, which I am very proud of.  

From a young age, I always exhibited good management skills. I remember being the football team’s captain in middle school. I enjoyed managing the players and motivating them to succeed. I strongly believe in working to realize my full potential in any field. As a result, I aim to run my own travel company. This is because I enjoy traveling and have come to appreciate the learning opportunities realized when traveling. I would like to help others come across such opportunities. I always engage with people through my email ( [email protected] ) and do not shy from reaching out. 

Professional Bio Example

John Smith: Professional Biography

Opening Statement

John Smith is currently the Chief Technology Officer at TechFirm Innovations, a leading tech company specializing in software development and cybersecurity solutions.

Professional Background and Achievements

Prior to joining TechFirm Innovations, John served as the Senior Software Developer at DataFlow Networks, where he led a team responsible for developing and maintaining major components of the company’s product suite. His innovative strategies contributed to a 30% improvement in product performance, earning him the ‘Employee of the Year’ award in 2021. Earlier in his career, John was a Junior Software Engineer at Systems Pro, where he refined his skills in coding and debugging.

Education and Credentials

John holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Stanford University. In addition, he is a certified Scrum Master and has earned a Professional Certification in Machine Learning from Coursera.

Skills and Specializations

John is proficient in a variety of programming languages, including Python, Java, and C++. He has in-depth knowledge of machine learning algorithms, agile methodologies, and cybersecurity protocols. His specialized skills include data analysis, system architecture design, and project management.

Personal Details and Hobbies

Outside of his professional life, John is an avid reader, with a keen interest in science fiction and technology-focused literature. He also enjoys hiking and photography, often merging his passions by documenting his various wilderness expeditions.

Contact Information

For further information or to connect, you can reach John at [email address] or find him on LinkedIn at [link].

This example biography gives a comprehensive view of John Smith’s professional journey, highlighting his skills, achievements, and personal interests in a clear and engaging manner.

Professional bio (biref example)

James Sutton Professional Bio

James Sutton is an experienced physics teacher with 10 years of active teaching in high school. Currently, he teaches at Richmond High School in Mystic City, Arkansas. More than 1200 students have passed through his guidance. He is qualified to create engaging and productive lesson plans and assessments and coach students on the various principles of physics. He is an active listener and a social person. These skills have helped him build beneficial rapport with his students throughout the years. He has an undergraduate degree in math and physics. He has a master’s in physics from the University of Princeton in London. 

His dream was to study in Europe. A dream he came to achieve during his college education. His life has been greatly influenced by this because it showed him that goals can be achieved if they are pursued and that dreams are legitimate. He values learning and believes that information should be shared with everyone without limitations. To address this, he operates a website ( www.learnall.com ) where he publishes his curriculum and notes for learners to access for free. He urges anyone interested in and willing to learn physics and math to visit the site. 

Key Takeaways

• You can write a personal or professional biography to provide insight into who you are as a person and summarize your professional achievements and goals. 
• A biography can be written from a first-person or third-person perspective, depending on its objective and use. 
• You can use a template to write a biography to ensure you capture all the key information and ensure it is professionally presented. 
• The key elements of any bio are the introduction, professional experience, educational background, personal background, values, passions, interests, and a call to action. 
• Bios are uploaded to a person’s professional portfolio, social media profiles, personal website, or for a job application. 
• It is important to update your bio regularly to ensure it contains current and accurate information. 

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