The Nineteenth Century in Print: Periodicals
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Biographical Sketches
A biographical sketch is a brief account of a person's life, not as detailed or lengthy as a biography. A biographical sketch may highlight a few aspects of a person's life that are especially telling. Like a good biography, a good biographical sketch makes the subject come to life, allowing the reader to see the subject as a three-dimensional character.
Periodicals often feature biographical sketches of celebrated figures. Read the sketch of William Lloyd Garrison written shortly after his death.
- Who wrote this biographical sketch? What can you find out about this person? Is identifying the author important in reading biographies or biographical sketches? Explain your answer.
- How does the sketch bring Garrison to life? As you read the sketch, does Garrison emerge as a three-dimensional person?
- What does this biographical sketch reveal about American society in the nineteenth century?
Write a biographical sketch of someone you know well. What characteristics would you emphasize? How would you bring your acquaintance to life for the reader? Now think about a famous individual in the nineteenth century. Search the collection and other sources to find information about this person. How could you apply the strategies you used in writing about your acquaintance in writing about someone you do not know personally? Write a biographical sketch of the famous individual. When you have finished, assess how well you have conveyed the person as a three-dimensional person.