autobiography

This term describes a self-authored narrative, emphasizing a comprehensive chronological account of one's own existence. It carries a connotation of legacy and reflection, often serving as a formal record of a public figure's life or a personal journey of self-discovery. While often used interchangeably with memoir, an autobiography typically covers the entire span of a life from birth to the present, whereas a memoir focuses on specific themes or time periods. As a noun, it can refer to the physical book itself or the broader literary genre.