Hagiography (Noun)
Meaning
A biography that idealizes or idolizes the person (especially a person who is a saint).
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The church published a hagiography of the new saint, glossing over his tumultuous past to present a sanitized version of his life.
- Historians often question the accuracy of hagiographies written during the subject's lifetime, as they are likely to be influenced by the individual's desire to promote their image.
- Some have accused the filmmaker of producing a hagiography rather than a biography, failing to adequately portray the flaws of the legendary politician.
- Hagiographies are especially common among celebrity culture, with devoted fans idealizing and writing romanticized biographies about their favorite stars.
- This scholarly hagiography strips away the romantic myth that surrounds the figure and delivers an intriguing if ambivalent critique.