biographer

UK: baɪˈɒɡ.rə.fər | US: baɪˈɑː.ɡrə.fɚ

Definition

  1. n. a person who writes an account of someone else's life

Structure
bio <life>graph <write>er <agent noun suffix>
Etymology

The word "biographer" combines three morphemes:

  1. "Bio" derives from Greek bios (life), commonly used in scientific and literary terms (e.g., biology, biography).
  2. "Graph" comes from Greek graphein (to write), appearing in words like "autograph" and "telegraph."
  3. The suffix "-er" (agent noun) indicates a person who performs the action.
    The term emerged in the early 18th century, reflecting the practice of documenting lives in written form. Its structure logically mirrors the profession: "one who writes about lives."
Examples

  1. The biographer spent years researching the poet’s letters and diaries.

  2. A good biographer balances factual accuracy with engaging storytelling.

  3. She hired a professional biographer to document her grandfather’s wartime experiences.

  4. Critics praised the biographer for uncovering previously unknown details about the inventor’s early life.

  5. His reputation as a meticulous biographer earned him access to private archives.