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🇨🇳 China
FieldAllWritersPoliticiansHistorical FiguresArtistsAcademicsScientistsMusiciansReligious FiguresActorsModels
  1. 1RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists22 decades
  2. 2Johannes VermeerJohannes Vermeer1632–1675 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists3 decades
  3. 3Frans HalsFrans Hals1582–1666 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists17 decades
  4. 4Jan SteenJan Steen1626–1679 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists22 decades
  5. 5Jacob van RuisdaelJacob van Ruisdael1628–1682 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists5 decades
  6. 6Judith LeysterJudith Leyster1609–1660 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  7. 7Pieter de HoochPieter de Hooch1629–1684 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists11 decades
  8. 8Meindert HobbemaMeindert Hobbema1638–1709 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  9. 9Balthasar van der AstBalthasar van der Ast1593–1657 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  10. 10Matthias StomMatthias Stom1600–1660 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  11. 11Hercules SeghersHercules Seghers1589–1638 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  12. 12Willem van AelstWillem van Aelst1627–1683 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  13. 13Emanuel de WitteEmanuel de Witte1617–1692 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  14. 14Pieter van LaerPieter van Laer1613–1642 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists6 decades
  15. 15Agnes BlockAgnes Block1629–1704 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  16. 16Karel DujardinKarel Dujardin1626–1678 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  17. 17Jan van BijlertJan van Bijlert1597–1671 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  18. 18Jan de BrayJan de Bray1627–1697 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  19. 19Jan BothJan Both1618–1652 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1 decades
  20. 20Jan Baptist WeenixJan Baptist Weenix1621–1659 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  21. 21Egbert van der PoelEgbert van der Poel1621–1664 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  22. 22Caesar van EverdingenCaesar van Everdingen1616–1678 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  23. 23HSHarmen Steenwijck1612–1656 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  24. 24Willem van MierisWillem van Mieris1662–1747 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  25. 25David BaillyDavid Bailly1584–1657 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  26. 26Pieter CoddePieter Codde1599–1678 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  27. 27Salomon KoninckSalomon Koninck1609–1656 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  28. 28Eglon van der NeerEglon van der Neer1635–1703 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  29. 29Hendrik Martenszoon SorghHendrik Martenszoon Sorghdied 1670 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  30. 30Nicolaes Eliaszoon PickenoyNicolaes Eliaszoon Pickenoy1588–1654 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  31. 31Job Adriaenszoon BerckheydeJob Adriaenszoon Berckheyde1630–1693 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  32. 32Jacob OchterveltJacob Ochtervelt1634–1682 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  33. 33Jan SaenredamJan Saenredam1565–1607 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  34. 34Adam PynackerAdam Pynacker1620–1673 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  35. 35Willem WissingWillem Wissing1656–1687 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  36. 36Cornelis DusartCornelis Dusart1660–1704 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  37. 37Matthias WithoosMatthias Withoos1627–1703 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  38. 38Willem Cornelisz DuysterWillem Cornelisz Duyster1599–1635 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  39. 39Wouter Crabeth IIWouter Crabeth II1594–1644 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  40. 40Hendrik Gerritsz PotHendrik Gerritsz Pot1580–1657 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  41. 41Willem HondiusWillem Hondius1598–1652 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  42. 42Jacob Willemsz de WetJacob Willemsz de Wet1610–1675 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  43. 43Abraham BegeynAbraham Begeyn1637–1697 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  44. 44Pieter QuastPieter Quast1606–1647 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  45. 45Evert van AelstEvert van Aelst1602–1657 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  46. 46Carel de MoorCarel de Moor1655–1738 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  47. 47Juriaen PoolJuriaen Pool1660–1745 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  48. 48Johannes MytensJohannes Mytens1614–1670 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  49. 49Joost Cornelisz DroochslootJoost Cornelisz Droochsloot1586–1666 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  50. 50Hendrick BloemaertHendrick Bloemaert1602–1672 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  51. 51BÀBoetius à Bolswert1580–1633 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  52. 52Pieter Symonsz PotterPieter Symonsz Potter1597–1652 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  53. 53Maria SchalckenMaria Schalcken1647–1690 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  54. 54Roelant RoghmanRoelant Roghman1627–1692 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  55. 55Jan de BisschopJan de Bisschop1628–1671 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  56. 56Jan van MierisJan van Mieris1660–1690 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  57. 57Daniël de BlieckDaniël de Blieck1610–1673 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  58. 58Richard BrakenburghRichard Brakenburgh1650–1702 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  59. 59Giusto UtensGiusto Utens1600–1609 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  60. 60Hendrick DubbelsHendrick Dubbels1621–1707 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  61. 61Jacob de Gheyn IIIJacob de Gheyn III1596–1641 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  62. 62Jacob PynasJacob Pynas1592–1650 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  63. 63Cornelis Gerritsz DeckerCornelis Gerritsz Decker1618–1678 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  64. 64Willem van der VlietWillem van der Vliet1584–1642 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  65. 65Frans Pietersz de GrebberFrans Pietersz de Grebber1573–1649 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  66. 66Jacques de ClaeuwJacques de Claeuw1623–1694 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  67. 67Geertruydt RoghmanGeertruydt Roghman1625–1650 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  68. 68Willem Jacobsz DelffWillem Jacobsz Delff1580–1638 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  69. 69Moses ter BorchMoses ter Borch1645–1667 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  70. 70Palamedes Palamedesz.Palamedes Palamedesz.1605–1638 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  71. 71Maria van ReigersberchMaria van Reigersberch1589–1653 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  72. 72Adriaen MathamAdriaen Matham1599–1660 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  73. 73Lambert JacobszLambert Jacobsz1598–1636 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  74. 74Jan WyckJan Wyck1640–1700 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  75. 75Pieter van AnraedtPieter van Anraedt1635–1678 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  76. 76Adriaen van Nieulandt the youngerAdriaen van Nieulandt the younger1587–1658 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  77. 77Jan PynasJan Pynas1583–1631 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  78. 78Esaias BoursseEsaias Boursse1631–1672 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  79. 79Pieter de BlootPieter de Bloot1601–1658 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  80. 80Pieter van AschPieter van Asch1603–1678 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  81. 81Cornelis van der VoortCornelis van der Voort1576–1624 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  82. 82Matthijs NaiveuMatthijs Naiveu1647–1726 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  83. 83Justus van HuysumJustus van Huysum1659–1716 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Dirck HelmbrekerDirck Helmbreker1633–1696 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  85. 85Abraham van CuylenborchAbraham van Cuylenborch1620–1658 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  86. 86Egbert van HeemskerckEgbert van Heemskerck1634–1704 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  87. 87Barend van der MeerBarend van der Meer1659–1702 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  88. 88Juriaen van StreeckJuriaen van Streeck1632–1687 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  89. 89Pieter de RingPieter de Ring1615–1660 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  90. 90Willem DoudijnsWillem Doudijns1630–1697 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists0 decades
  91. 91Hendrick FromantiouHendrick Fromantiou1633–1693 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  92. 92Ary de VoisAry de Vois1630–1680 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  93. 93Johannes van der AeckJohannes van der Aeck1636–1682 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  94. 94Maerten Boelema de StommeMaerten Boelema de Stomme1611–1644 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  95. 95Guillam DuboisGuillam Dubois1624–1680 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  96. 96Daniel Mijtens the YoungerDaniel Mijtens the Younger1644–1688 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  97. 97Pieter FrisPieter Fris1627–1706 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98Pieter WithoosPieter Withoos1655–1692 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  99. 99Claes Jacobsz van der HeckClaes Jacobsz van der Heck1575–1652 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot measured—
  100. 100JVJan van Glabbeeck1635–1686 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artistsnot 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.