Claim profile
1100–1199

The 12th century

Whose working lives fell in the 12th century. Books are measured from 1800 and readers from 2015, so for this period we can say who lived then, not who was talked about then.

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 12th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇫🇷 France🇯🇵 Japan🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇳🇴 Norway🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇸🇪 Sweden🇨🇳 China🇹🇷 Turkey
FieldAllHistorical FiguresWritersPoliticiansReligious FiguresAcademicsModelsActorsArtistsMusiciansDoctors
  1. 1Frederick I, Holy Roman EmperorFrederick I, Holy Roman Emperor1122–1190 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians20 decades
  2. 2Henry II of EnglandHenry II of England1133–1189 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures12 decades
  3. 3Bernard of ClairvauxBernard of Clairvaux1091–1153 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  4. 4Louis VII of FranceLouis VII of France1120–1180 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5 decades
  5. 5Peter AbelardPeter Abelard1079–1142 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics20 decades
  6. 6Eleanor of AquitaineEleanor of Aquitaine1124–1204 · 🇫🇷 France19 decades
  7. 7Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers21 decades
  8. 8Louis VI of FranceLouis VI of France1081–1137 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  9. 9Stephen, King of EnglandStephen, King of England1095–1154 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  10. 10Marie de FranceMarie de France1101–1300 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  11. 11Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of AnjouGeoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou1113–1151 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures13 decades
  12. 12Guy of LusignanGuy of Lusignan1150–1194 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  13. 13Pope Callixtus IIPope Callixtus II1065–1124 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0 decades
  14. 14HéloïseHéloïse1101–1164 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  15. 15William IX, Duke of AquitaineWilliam IX, Duke of Aquitaine1071–1126 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  16. 16SugerSuger1080–1151 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  17. 17Fulk, King of JerusalemFulk, King of Jerusalem1092–1143 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  18. 18Eleanor of EnglandEleanor of England1161–1214 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1 decades
  19. 19Adèle of ChampagneAdèle of Champagne1140–1206 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7 decades
  20. 20Bernard de VentadourBernard de Ventadour1140–1190 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  21. 21Adela of NormandyAdela of Normandy1067–1137 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  22. 22Adelaide of MaurienneAdelaide of Maurienne1092–1154 · 🇫🇷 France22 decades
  23. 23Marie of France, Countess of ChampagneMarie of France, Countess of Champagne1145–1198 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  24. 24William X, Duke of AquitaineWilliam X, Duke of Aquitaine1099–1137 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  25. 25Beatrice I, Countess of BurgundyBeatrice I, Countess of Burgundy1143–1184 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  26. 26Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  27. 27Peter II of CourtenayPeter II of Courtenay1155–1219 · 🇫🇷 France · Models0 decades
  28. 28Bertran de BornBertran de Born1140–1215 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  29. 29Aimery of CyprusAimery of Cyprus1152–1205 · 🇫🇷 France · Models0 decades
  30. 30LéoninLéonin1135–1201 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  31. 31MarcabruMarcabru1110–1150 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  32. 32Arnaud AmalricArnaud Amalric1160–1225 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures4 decades
  33. 33Joscelin I, Count of EdessaJoscelin I, Count of Edessa1072–1131 · 🇫🇷 France · Modelsnot measured—
  34. 34Robert I, Count of DreuxRobert I, Count of Dreux1123–1188 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  35. 35Arnaut DanielArnaut Daniel1150–1210 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  36. 36AOAlice of France1150–1190 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades
  37. 37Peter the VenerablePeter the Venerable1092–1156 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  38. 38Bohemond III of AntiochBohemond III of Antioch1144–1201 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  39. 39Theobald V, Count of BloisTheobald V, Count of Blois1130–1191 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  40. 40Raymond V, Count of ToulouseRaymond V, Count of Toulouse1134–1194 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  41. 41Constance, duchess of BrittanyConstance, duchess of Brittany1161–1201 · 🇫🇷 France3 decades
  42. 42Alphonse JourdainAlphonse Jourdain1103–1148 · 🇫🇷 France17 decades
  43. 43Peter I of CourtenayPeter I of Courtenay1126–1183 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Robert, 1st Earl of GloucesterRobert, 1st Earl of Gloucester1090–1147 · 🇫🇷 Francenot measured—
  45. 45Philip of FrancePhilip of France1116–1131 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  46. 46John of MathaJohn of Matha1160–1213 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  47. 47Sibylla of AnjouSibylla of Anjou1112–1165 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  48. 48Robert II, Count of DreuxRobert II, Count of Dreux1154–1218 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  49. 49Hugh, Count of ChampagneHugh, Count of Champagne1074–1126 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  50. 50Gregory VIIIGregory VIII1100–1137 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  51. 51André de MontbardAndré de Montbard1103–1156 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  52. 52WOWilliam of Champeaux1070–1121 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  53. 53Bertrand I, Count of ToulouseBertrand I, Count of Toulouse1065–1112 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  54. 54Margaret of BloisMargaret of Blois1164–1230 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  55. 55Matthias I, Duke of LorraineMatthias I, Duke of Lorraine1119–1176 · 🇫🇷 Francenot measured—
  56. 56Felix of ValoisFelix of Valois1127–1212 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures21 decades
  57. 57Simon I, Duke of LorraineSimon I, Duke of Lorraine1076–1139 · 🇫🇷 France5 decades
  58. 58Matthew of AlsaceMatthew of Alsace1137–1173 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2 decades
  59. 59Everard des BarresEverard des Barres1113–1174 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  60. 60Theobald I, Count of BarTheobald I, Count of Bar1158–1214 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  61. 61CDConon de Béthune1150–1219 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  62. 62Amalric of BenaAmalric of Bena1150–1206 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0 decades
  63. 63Bernard de TremelayBernard de Tremelay1100–1153 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  64. 64Azalaïs de PorcairaguesAzalaïs de Porcairagues1102–1102 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Bénézet of AvignonBénézet of Avignon1165–1184 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  66. 66COConstance of France, Countess of Toulouse1128–1180 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1 decades
  67. 67Philip of MillyPhilip of Millyborn 1120 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  68. 68Ermengarde of AnjouErmengarde of Anjou1068–1146 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  69. 69Raymond du Puy de ProvenceRaymond du Puy de Provence1080–1160 · 🇫🇷 France11 decades
  70. 70Guillaume aux Blanches MainsGuillaume aux Blanches Mains1135–1202 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  71. 71Gilbert de La PorréeGilbert de La Porrée1070–1154 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0 decades
  72. 72Guiraut de BornelhGuiraut de Bornelh1138–1215 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  73. 73Bertrand de BlanchefortBertrand de Blanchefort1109–1169 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  74. 74Godfrey II, Count of LouvainGodfrey II, Count of Louvain1110–1142 · 🇫🇷 Francenot measured—
  75. 75Hugh IX of LusignanHugh IX of Lusignan1163–1219 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  76. 76Eleanor, Countess of VermandoisEleanor, Countess of Vermandois1152–1214 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  77. 77Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers21 decades
  78. 78Robert of TorigniRobert of Torigni1100–1186 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  79. 79Elisabeth, Countess of VermandoisElisabeth, Countess of Vermandois1143–1183 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  80. 80William of ChamplitteWilliam of Champlitte1160–1209 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  81. 81GislebertusGislebertus1100–1135 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  82. 82Folquet de MarseilleFolquet de Marseille1155–1231 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  83. 83Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  84. 84Saint DrogoSaint Drogo1105–1186 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  85. 85ABAbraham ben David of Posquières1120–1198 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured—
  86. 86Peter of BruysPeter of Bruys1095–1131 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors21 decades
  87. 87BSBernard Silvestris1085–1160 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  88. 88Samuel ibn TibbonSamuel ibn Tibbon1150–1230 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors1 decades
  89. 89Raymond I TrencavelRaymond I Trencavel1130–1167 · 🇫🇷 Francenot measured—
  90. 90Thomas, Lord of CoucyThomas, Lord of Coucy1073–1130 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures18 decades
  91. 91Hugh II of JaffaHugh II of Jaffa1106–1134 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  92. 92James of AvesnesJames of Avesnes1152–1191 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  93. 93William of MalevalWilliam of Maleval1100–1157 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  94. 94Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of LeicesterRobert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester1104–1168 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Saint BertoldSaint Bertold1083–1198 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  96. 96BDBertha, Duchess of Brittany1114–1156 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  97. 97Simon II, Duke of LorraineSimon II, Duke of Lorraine1140–1207 · 🇫🇷 Francenot measured—
  98. 98DODavid of Dinant1160–1217 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  99. 99Alberic ClementAlberic Clement1165–1191 · 🇫🇷 France2 decades
  100. 100Ralph II, Count of VermandoisRalph II, Count of Vermandois1145–1167 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades

How this is measured

  • Placing people in time. Each person belongs to the century in which they were most active — around age 35, and never after their death.
  • Who ranks highest. Within a century, people are ranked where two independent signals agree: how many of the world’s Wikipedia language editions cover them, and how many people actually read about them. Article counts alone can be lifted by a person’s own circle; readers cannot.
  • Fame in print. The curves count how often a name appears in Google Books from 1800 to 2019, as a share of all the words printed each year, in the person’s own language wherever that corpus exists. Those decades are over, so each measurement is made once and kept.
  • What is left out. A lifetime is measured only from 1820, when there is enough print to judge; the five years after a death are skipped as obituaries; and a name shared with someone equally notable is credited to neither.