When Memory Speaks: Exploring the Art of Autobiography

Focusing on writers over the centuries, from Benjamin Franklin to Virginia Woolf to Frank McCourt, the author explores the continuing popularity of autobiographies and accounts for the differences in form and style in men's and women's narratives. Reprint. 30,000 first printing.

Jill Ker Conway grew up in Australia, graduated from the University of Sydney in 1958 and received her Ph.D. from Harvard in 1969. From 1964 to 1975 she taught at the University of Toronto and was vice president there before serving for ten years as president of Smith College. Since 1985 she has been a visiting scholar and professor in M.I.T.'s Program in Science, Technology, and Society. In addition to her two memoirs, she has edited Written by Herself, two volumes of women's autobiographical writings.

From the Hardcover edition.

Memory's plots — The secular hero — The romantic heroine — Imperial stories — Feminist plots — Assertive women — Different stories — Grim tales — Word and image.