Abstract

On Studying Biography
van Doren, Carl | August 23, 1919 issue

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The article illustrates the essence and importance of studying biography, and represents the views of a number of scholars and philosophers. As it stands, biographers again and again see their work as drama or epic, and follow an alien law. No wonder, when there has never been produced, in all literary history, any really eminent treatise on the art and science of biography. Biography has nearly always been the tool equally of the moralist and the fictionist. The study of biography, must go further than the mere analysis of error. At the present time its very particular duty is to restore the conception of human personality, something of the unity which is often forgot that it has.

See Also:

BIOGRAPHY; SCHOLARS; DRAMA; LITERATURE; PERSONALITY; FALLIBILITY
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