The Psychobiography of Genius

Abstract

One way to explore genius is to examine its products – what the genius creates – and to root these, partially, in biography and life history. Specifically, psychobiography works to identify the subjective origins (emotional, personality-based, need-based) of artistic, scientific, and political achievements. Over the years, there have been various attempts to articulate principles encouraging sound psychobiographical research. In this chapter, Schultz engages the question empirically by describing the approaches taken in three new book-length psychobiograpies, of George W. Bush, John Lennon, and Truman Capote. Assorted methodological guidelines are proposed in conclusion.

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