Claim profile
1600–1699

The 17th century

Whose working lives fell in the 17th 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 17th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇯🇵 Japan🇹🇷 Turkey🇳🇱 Netherlands🇪🇸 Spain🇮🇹 Italy🇸🇪 Sweden🇮🇳 India
FieldAllWritersPoliticiansHistorical FiguresArtistsAcademicsScientistsMusiciansReligious FiguresActorsModels
  1. 1Elizabeth Charlotte, Madame PalatineElizabeth Charlotte, Madame Palatine1652–1722 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  2. 2Hans Jakob Christoffel von GrimmelshausenHans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen1622–1676 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  3. 3Andreas GryphiusAndreas Gryphius1616–1664 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Martin OpitzMartin Opitz1597–1639 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  5. 5Friedrich SpeeFriedrich Spee1591–1635 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  6. 6Abraham a Sancta ClaraAbraham a Sancta Clara1644–1709 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  7. 7Heinrich Matthias von ThurnHeinrich Matthias von Thurn1567–1640 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2 decades
  8. 8Simon DachSimon Dach1605–1659 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  9. 9Anthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelAnthony Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1633–1714 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  10. 10Paul FlemingPaul Fleming1609–1640 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  11. 11Augustus the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgAugustus the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1579–1666 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  12. 12Glückel of HamelnGlückel of Hameln1646–1724 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  13. 13Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  14. 14Christoph CellariusChristoph Cellarius1638–1707 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  15. 15Philipp von ZesenPhilipp von Zesen1619–1689 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  16. 16Christian Hoffmann von HoffmannswaldauChristian Hoffmann von Hoffmannswaldau1616–1679 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  17. 17Johann Ernst GlückJohann Ernst Glück1652–1705 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  18. 18Christian Knorr von RosenrothChristian Knorr von Rosenroth1636–1689 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  19. 19Duchess Elisabeth Sophie of MecklenburgDuchess Elisabeth Sophie of Mecklenburg1613–1680 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  20. 20Countess Palatine Maria Eufrosyne of ZweibrückenCountess Palatine Maria Eufrosyne of Zweibrücken1625–1687 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  21. 21Johann von RistJohann von Rist1607–1667 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  22. 22Hans Georg von Arnim-BoitzenburgHans Georg von Arnim-Boitzenburg1583–1641 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  23. 23Hiob LudolfHiob Ludolf1624–1704 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  24. 24Daniel Casper von LohensteinDaniel Casper von Lohenstein1635–1683 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  25. 25Philipp ClüverPhilipp Clüver1580–1622 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  26. 26Georg Philipp HarsdorfferGeorg Philipp Harsdorffer1607–1658 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  27. 27Caspar SchoppeCaspar Schoppe1576–1649 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  28. 28Johann FranckJohann Franck1618–1677 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  29. 29ZWZacharias Wagenaer1614–1668 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  30. 30Quirinus KuhlmannQuirinus Kuhlmann1651–1689 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  31. 31Sigmund von BirkenSigmund von Birken1626–1681 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  32. 32Elizabeth of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of MecklenburgElizabeth of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Mecklenburg1596–1625 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2 decades
  33. 33Johann HeermannJohann Heermann1585–1647 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  34. 34Countess Emilie Juliane of Barby-MühlingenCountess Emilie Juliane of Barby-Mühlingen1637–1706 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  35. 35Martin ZeilerMartin Zeiler1589–1661 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  36. 36Hans Caspar von BothmerHans Caspar von Bothmer1656–1732 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  37. 37Anna Sophia II, Abbess of QuedlinburgAnna Sophia II, Abbess of Quedlinburg1638–1683 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Jakob BaldeJakob Balde1604–1668 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  39. 39SFSalomon Franck1659–1725 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2 decades
  40. 40Johann Michael MoscheroschJohann Michael Moscherosch1601–1669 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  41. 41Sibylla SchwarzSibylla Schwarz1621–1638 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  42. 42Heinrich MeibomHeinrich Meibom1638–1700 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  43. 43Christian WeiseChristian Weise1642–1708 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  44. 44Ludmilla Elisabeth of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtLudmilla Elisabeth of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1640–1672 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  45. 45Johann Christoph WagenseilJohann Christoph Wagenseil1633–1705 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  46. 46Martin of CochemMartin of Cochem1634–1712 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  47. 47Justus Georg SchottelJustus Georg Schottel1612–1676 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  48. 48Daniel Georg MorhofDaniel Georg Morhof1639–1691 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  49. 49JBJacob Bidermann1578–1639 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  50. 50Georg Rudolf WeckherlinGeorg Rudolf Weckherlin1584–1653 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  51. 51Jeremias DrexelJeremias Drexel1581–1638 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  52. 52JAJohan Abeling1600–1634 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Kaspar von StielerKaspar von Stieler1632–1707 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  54. 54Kaspar von BarthKaspar von Barth1587–1658 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  55. 55Daniel Czepko von ReigersfeldDaniel Czepko von Reigersfeld1605–1660 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  56. 56Johann Georg von EckhartJohann Georg von Eckhart1664–1730 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  57. 57IBIssachar Berend Lehmann1661–1730 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  58. 58Rupertus MeldeniusRupertus Meldenius1582–1651 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  59. 59GHGeorgius Hornius1620–1670 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Abraham von FranckenbergAbraham von Franckenberg1593–1652 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61HEHans Erasmus Aßmann1646–1699 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  62. 62Johann Matthäus MeyfartJohann Matthäus Meyfart1590–1642 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3 decades
  63. 63Erasmus FinxErasmus Finx1627–1694 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  64. 64Anna Ovena HoyerAnna Ovena Hoyer1584–1655 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65HRHeinrich Roth1620–1668 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Christian ScriverChristian Scriver1629–1693 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  67. 67Ferdinand von FürstenbergFerdinand von Fürstenberg1626–1683 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68MAMelchior Adam1575–1622 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  69. 69Peter LambeckPeter Lambeck1628–1680 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  70. 70CHChristian Heinrich Postel1658–1705 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2 decades
  71. 71JKJohann Klaj1616–1656 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Ludwig Nicolaus HallartLudwig Nicolaus Hallart1659–1727 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73HWHeinrich Wilhelm Ludolf1655–1712 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Ahasverus FritschAhasverus Fritsch1629–1701 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Samuel RodigastSamuel Rodigast1649–1708 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  76. 76John Adolphus of SchwarzenbergJohn Adolphus of Schwarzenberg1615–1683 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Gabriel BucelinGabriel Bucelin1599–1681 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Bartholomew HolzhauserBartholomew Holzhauser1613–1658 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Johann FreinsheimJohann Freinsheim1608–1660 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80Johannes LocceniusJohannes Loccenius1598–1677 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  81. 81Johann MicraeliusJohann Micraelius1597–1658 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Johann Jacob von WallhausenJohann Jacob von Wallhausen1580–1627 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Michael FranckMichael Franck1609–1667 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Theodore HaakTheodore Haak1605–1690 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Johann Balthasar SchuppJohann Balthasar Schupp1610–1661 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Johan Albrecht de MandelsloJohan Albrecht de Mandelslo1616–1644 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87PCPhilipp Chemnitz1605–1678 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Philipp HainhoferPhilipp Hainhofer1578–1647 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89JTJohann Thölde1565–1614 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Christoph HartknochChristoph Hartknoch1644–1687 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91VSValentinus Smalcius1572–1622 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Jacob AltingJacob Alting1618–1679 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93JWJulius Wilhelm Zincgref1591–1635 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Caspar ZieglerCaspar Ziegler1621–1690 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Tobias ClausnitzerTobias Clausnitzer1619–1684 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96HCHenriette Catharina von Gersdorff1648–1726 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Michael BrüggemannMichael Brüggemann1583–1654 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98Johann Georg NeumannJohann Georg Neumann1661–1709 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99JJJohann Jacob Schütz1640–1690 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Johannes SinapiusJohannes Sinapius1657–1725 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—

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.