The best biographies of all time are those that have left echoes in our collective consciousness.

Precisely because of the legacy left by the subjects of those Biographies — and the biographers’ skill in sharing that legacy — we can climb to heights made accessible by the giants who came before us.

And as much as we enjoy a good memoir or autobiography, a Biography written by someone other than the subject yields something the former cannot.

The perspective of someone not in the subject’s head may feel less reliable or at least less intimate.

But it’s also more likely to be objective and dispassionate.

The biographer might share things the subject would not — either from modesty, shame, or something else.

The most interesting biographies do the following:

• Make the subject more human and relatable
• Relate something surprising that most people don’t know about the subject
• Tie that surprising something to a timeless lesson we need to learn

The list that follows contains the best biography books of all time, many of which I hope you’ll consider worthy additions to your “to read” list.

38 Best Biographies of All Time

The first several listings are top biographies that have captured the imagination of readers for decades, if not centuries.

You can probably think of a few famous inventors, scientists, artists, musicians, or philosophers you’d like to know better than you do now.

1. The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf

Humboldt (1769-1859) was a German naturalist and the most famous scientist of his age.

Wulf’s book explores his background, his expeditions and discoveries, and his contributions to modern day efforts at preserving and supporting the natural world.

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2. Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla by Marc J. Seifer

Seifer’s comprehensive and revelatory biography ties together the personal and professional life of Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) — the man widely recognized as the founding father of modern electrical technology.

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3. Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

Written by the author of bestselling biographies on Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin, this book quickly became the definitive biography of Albert Einstein, the genius who questioned conventional explanations and saw wonder in the mundane.

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4. Harriet: The Moses of Her People by Sarah Hopkins Bradford

Bradford’s biography introduces us to the woman who led more than 13 expeditions on the Underground Railroad to free slaves in the South.

This book honors her accomplishments along with other aspects of her life that few remember.

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5. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson

Isaacson wrote the world’s favorite biography of “the founding father who winks at us” — leading the reader to a more intimate understanding of the inventor, scientist, diplomat, business strategist, and writer behind Poor Richard’s Almanac.

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6. Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson

This #1 New York Times bestseller combines Isaacson’s own talent as a biographer with the life and work of a multi-talented visionary.

Narrative, humor, and insight merge to make this the best possible introduction to Leonardo da Vinci.

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7. Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David W. Blight

Douglass’ voice rings loud and clear in Prophet of Freedom, an elegant, vivid and meticulously researched book by David W. Blight.

Besides Blight’s writing, this top biography shines because it includes many of Douglass’ original manuscripts. Get ready to be profoundly inspired.

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8. The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

If the inventors like the Wright brothers hadn’t been as fearless as they were brilliant, the world would be a different place.

McCullough draws readers into their lives and reveals all that led to their reckless experiments and world-changing discoveries.

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9. Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird

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Whether or not you’re a fan of the PBS Masterpiece series, Victoria, this biography will introduce you to one of the most memorable, relatable, and endearing monarchs the world has ever known.

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10. Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis by Timothy Egan

Edward Curtis was a charismatic photographer who worked with presidents and great thinkers before leaving it all behind and dedicating himself to documenting the stories of North American tribes.

Timothy Egan’s passionate, unique storytelling honors the quest of a photographer who helped preserve Native American history.

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Best Presidential Biographies

Some of the best historical biographies involve past presidents, exploring their personal lives and backgrounds to shed light on their decisions and behavior as the nation’s leaders

11. Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford by Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin

In this biography, Hill recalls his seventeen eventful years in the Secret Service.

As a witness to pivotal moments in U.S. History during his tenure, Hill shares fascinating stories that shed light on each of the five presidents he served, as well as their families.

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12. Grant by Ron Chernow

Pulitzer Prize-winner Chernow wrote the definitive biography of the man Frederick Douglass called “the vigilant, firm, impartial, and wise protector of my race.”

Grant’s military fame led to two terms as president, and this comprehensive biography reveals the man that he was.

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13. Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

Chernow takes the reader through the life of the first president of the United States — a man too often unfairly regarded as stoic and unemotional.

The real Washington comes alive in these pages, testifying to Chernow’s scholarship and genius for storytelling.

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14. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

Thanks to Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Broadway musical, Hamilton, a revival of interest in the founding fathers has made biographies like this one by Chernow more appealing than ever.

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15. Truman by David McCullough

In this Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, McCullough covers all the memorable events in the life of a man who became one of our most courageous presidents.

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16. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Theodore Roosevelt Series Book 1) by Edmund Morris

This book was a winner of the Pulitzer Prize and selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time.

Morris’s biography is the #1 choice for anyone seeking to better know and understand the man whose charisma, vitality and creativity made him an “inevitable” (and lovable) commander in chief for two terms.

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17. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson by Joseph J. Ellis

Joseph J. Ellis wrote this thought-provoking biography of Thomas Jefferson to give us a glimpse into the mind of one of our most enigmatic founding fathers.

Focusing on Jefferson’s curious personality, Ellis gets into his head, exploring how his character evolved and his opinions shaped the destiny of America.

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18. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin