This document discusses different types of biographies, including first-hand biographies, autobiographies, collective biographies, and unauthorized biographies. It provides characteristics of biographies such as focusing on a real person's life, environment, accomplishments, impact on others, and interactions with significant people. Autobiographies specifically are written by the subject and recount key life events and influences. Collective biographies contain multiple short biographies in one book, while unauthorized biographies are not approved by their subjects and risk legal action.