- Categories:
- Arts & Entertainment
- Tags:
- AppreciationBooksWork
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 16
- Holiday emoji:
- ✍️
National Biographer’s Day shines a light on the dedicated writers who chronicle the lives of others, celebrated every May 16. This day commemorates the historic first meeting between literary giant Samuel Johnson and his renowned biographer, James Boswell. Take a moment to appreciate the biographies that have shaped your understanding of history and humanity, and consider exploring a new life story today.
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Expected National Biographer's Day Deals
While National Biographer’s Day isn’t typically a major retail holiday, many bookstores and online platforms offer special promotions to encourage reading and writing biographies. Look for discounts at retailers like Barnes & Noble and Powell’s Books, as well as indie bookstores. Online platforms such as Amazon Kindle and Audible often feature sales on biographical e-books and audiobooks. Writing services like Reedsy or Scribendi might offer special rates for aspiring biographers. Publishers such as Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House may highlight their biographical catalogs. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 16 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Biographer's Day
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBiographersDay. Share insights on the craft of biography or spotlight a favorite author’s work.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalBiographersDay. Tweet about your favorite biographies, share quotes from famous biographers, or discuss the impact of life stories.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBiographersDay. Post photos of your favorite biographies, share a ‘shelfie’ of your collection, or create a short video review of a compelling life story.
National Biographer's Day Hero
James Boswell
History of National Biographer's Day
In the mid-1700s, Samuel Johnson, a biographer himself, met with his biographer James Boswell in London, England on May 16. According to Johnson, the best biographers ate, drank, and maintained social relations with the person they were writing about.
The meeting between Johnson and Boswell eventually led to the publishing of one of the most celebrated biographies in English literature. James Boswell’s research and narrative style set the standard for biographers since his biography of Johnson was considered to be one of the best in the English language.
However, it’s said that biographies have been around for long before that meeting. They were written historically and it’s believed that one of the first biographies was written during the Roman Empire. The genre of biography began to emerge in the 1800s and reached its contemporary form at the turn of the 1900s. While biographies went through a period of stagnation following this, autobiographies became more popular and, even until today, they have stayed relevant in the form of memoirs.
Nonetheless, biographies remain a relevant source of information for students, academicians, and readers alike. Biographies are extremely popular as they provide a deep insight into a person’s life. Moreover, in recent times, biographies have evolved and found a footing in the form of multimedia. This includes documentary biographical films, commercial films, etc.
It’s only right that there is a day dedicated to celebrating biographers who put the painstaking effort into penning down someone’s life in such a way that it is able to strike a chord with its readers.
National Biographer's Day timeline
The first record of a biography written by Cornelius Nepos is found.
Biographies of multiple famous men are written in Greek by Plutarch and compiled in a book called, “Parallel Lives.”
Samuel Johnson and James Boswell meet at a bookshop in Covent Garden, London, which lays the foundation for the latter’s biography of the former.
The biography of the writer Samuel Johnson is published by his biographer James Boswell.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Biographer's Day
Local bookstores and libraries can host special displays featuring acclaimed biographies, offering reading lists, or organizing book club discussions focused on life stories. Writing centers and literary organizations might offer workshops on the art of biographical writing, inviting local authors to share their experiences. Cafes could create themed menus inspired by famous literary figures, encouraging patrons to read while they dine. Businesses can also sponsor local writing contests or partner with schools to promote literacy and the study of history through biography.
National Biographer's Day FAQs
When is National Biographer's Day?
In 2027, National Biographer’s Day will be observed on Sunday, May 16, offering a perfect opportunity to reflect on the impact of biographical narratives. Plan a quiet day of reading and appreciation.
How many biographies are published each year?
The market for biographies continues to thrive, with an estimated several thousand new titles hitting shelves each year. This consistent output reflects a strong public appetite for understanding the lives and legacies of others.
What makes a biography compelling?
For a biography to truly resonate in 2027, it often requires a nuanced perspective, a deep understanding of the subject’s era, and a willingness to explore complexities. The most impactful biographies transcend mere chronology to offer profound human insights.
What is the difference between a biography and an autobiography?
An autobiography is a self-written account of one’s own life, providing an intimate, first-person view. Conversely, a biography, as celebrated on this day, is a third-person narrative crafted by an author researching another person’s life, often with a broader historical context.
How To Celebrate National Biographer’s Day
Read a biography
National Biographer’s Day is a fitting time to pick up a biography and read it. Or, finally, resume that biography that you haven’t been able to finish. Think of a person that you would love to know more about and find out if there is a biography written on them.
Write a biography
Why not take a shot at writing your own biography? You can refer to other biographies to get an idea of the style, structure, nuances, etc. Think of a person that inspires you and someone whose story people should know. You don’t have to get it published, this is something you can just do for yourself.
Participate in a non-fiction book club
There are so many book clubs out there. You can join a non-fiction book club on National Biographer’s Day and indulge in reading a biography with them. Book clubs discuss the books at the end of the reading session and it’s a great way to not only put your thoughts out there but also get a whole range of different perspectives on a biography.
5 Facts About Authors That Will Surprise You
John Milton’s influence on America
John Milton’s pamphlet “Areopagitica” was a key influence on the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment and the author himself influenced America’s founding fathers.
Louisa May Alcott’s occupation
Louisa May Alcott worked as a Civil War nurse before she wrote “Little Women.”
Agatha Christie’s inspiration
Agathe Christie once mentioned that she liked to think up her stories while relaxing in a bath and eating apples.
Washington Irving and Gotham City
It was Washington Irving who came up with the name ‘Gotham City’ to describe New York in an 1807 periodical.
Haruki Murakami’s inspiration to write fiction
Having never written a novel before, Haruki Murakami said that he got the inspiration to write fiction after attending a baseball game at Jingu Stadium.
Why We Love National Biographer’s Day
Biographers get credit
Biographers don’t get enough credit for the work they do and that should change. National Biographer’s Day not only commemorates a significant event in the history of this genre but also helps to honor the work that biographers do to bring real stories to their readers.
Biographies make history come alive
A well-written biography is more than just a reading delight. It can really help us get a good insight into people’s lives and cement their ideas and experiences.
It encourages the reading of biographies
Biographies are a fundamental genre of literature. While reading fiction can help us unwind and unlock our imagination, biographies, on the other hand, can expose us to a whole new world. Reading a biography can help you see how another person lived and worked, and maybe you can pick up a few good habits from them. Biographies should be on the reading list of every reader.
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