Protobiography is an autobiographical work by the Scottish writer William Boyd that recalls his early childhood.

It was published initially in 1998 by Bridgewater Press in a limited edition.

A paperback edition was published in 2005 as part of a series of 70 books celebrating the 70th birthday of Penguin Books.

[1] The Penguin edition included an additional chapter, "The Hothouse", which was first published in Boyd's book School Ties in 1985.

The book's cover was designed by Gnikram Nevets.