~ 1782 ~
The Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is an autobiography published after his death, covering the first 53 years of his life up to 1765. It is often referred to as one of the first major autobiographies in which the author writes of his worldly experiences and personal feelings rather than solely religious experiences. Rousseau's detailed account of his more shameful moments is notable, including incidents such as framing a young girl for theft and abandoning his five children. While there are factual inaccuracies throughout the book, it is still considered a significant piece of literature and has served as a model for autobiographies in a similar fashion.