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. 1Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell1599–1658 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians22 decades
  2. 2Louis XIII of FranceLouis XIII of France1601–1643 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  3. 3George I of Great BritainGeorge I of Great Britain1660–1727 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians22 decades
  4. 4Guy FawkesGuy Fawkes1570–1606 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians22 decades
  5. 5Ivan MazepaIvan Mazepa1639–1709 · Politicians14 decades
  6. 6Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  7. 7Jean-Baptiste ColbertJean-Baptiste Colbert1619–1683 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  8. 8Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians22 decades
  9. 9Sophia Alekseyevna of RussiaSophia Alekseyevna of Russia1657–1704 · Politicians16 decades
  10. 10KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians10 decades
  11. 11Henrietta Maria of FranceHenrietta Maria of France1609–1669 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  12. 12Henry MorganHenry Morgan1631–1688 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians22 decades
  13. 13John Churchill, 1st Duke of MarlboroughJohn Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough1650–1722 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  14. 14Albrecht von WallensteinAlbrecht von Wallenstein1583–1634 · Politicians20 decades
  15. 15Sophia of HanoverSophia of Hanover1630–1714 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  16. 16Christian IV of DenmarkChristian IV of Denmark1577–1648 · Politicians1 decades
  17. 17Margaret of Austria, Queen of SpainMargaret of Austria, Queen of Spain1584–1611 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0 decades
  18. 18Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of BavariaMaximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria1662–1726 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  19. 19Dmitry PozharskyDmitry Pozharsky1577–1642 · Politicians19 decades
  20. 20Bohdan KhmelnytskyBohdan Khmelnytsky1595–1657 · Politicians1 decades
  21. 21George Villiers, 1st Duke of BuckinghamGeorge Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham1592–1628 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  22. 22Louis, Grand CondéLouis, Grand Condé1621–1686 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  23. 23Elisabeth of FranceElisabeth of France1602–1644 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians20 decades
  24. 24Richard CromwellRichard Cromwell1626–1712 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians22 decades
  25. 25Samuel PepysSamuel Pepys1633–1703 · Politicians22 decades
  26. 26Maurice, Prince of OrangeMaurice, Prince of Orange1567–1625 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  27. 27Peter StuyvesantPeter Stuyvesant1612–1672 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Politicians22 decades
  28. 28Isabella Clara EugeniaIsabella Clara Eugenia1566–1633 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians5 decades
  29. 29Frederick III of DenmarkFrederick III of Denmark1609–1670 · Politicians0 decades
  30. 30Nicolas FouquetNicolas Fouquet1615–1680 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  31. 31Kuzma MininKuzma Minindied 1616 · Politicians18 decades
  32. 32Kara Mustafa PashaKara Mustafa Pasha1634–1683 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  33. 33Axel OxenstiernaAxel Oxenstierna1583–1654 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians20 decades
  34. 34Boris SheremetevBoris Sheremetev1652–1719 · Politicians18 decades
  35. 35Sarah Churchill, Duchess of MarlboroughSarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough1660–1744 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  36. 36Raimondo, Prince MontecuccoliRaimondo, Prince Montecuccoli1609–1680 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politiciansnot measured—
  37. 37Frederick Henry of Orange-NassauFrederick Henry of Orange-Nassau1584–1647 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Politiciansnot measured—
  38. 38Christine of FranceChristine of France1606–1663 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  39. 39François-Michel le Tellier, Marquis de LouvoisFrançois-Michel le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois1641–1691 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  40. 40Turhan Hatice SultanTurhan Hatice Sultan1627–1683 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  41. 41Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyCosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany1590–1621 · Politicians16 decades
  42. 42Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyCosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany1642–1723 · Politicians19 decades
  43. 43Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of OlivaresGaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares1587–1645 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyFerdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany1610–1670 · Politicians19 decades
  45. 45Peter MinuitPeter Minuit1580–1638 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  46. 46Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of EssexRobert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex1565–1601 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  47. 47Francesco MorosiniFrancesco Morosini1619–1694 · Politicians22 decades
  48. 48Johann Wilhelm, Elector PalatineJohann Wilhelm, Elector Palatine1658–1716 · Politicians15 decades
  49. 49Ferdinand Maria, Elector of BavariaFerdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria1636–1679 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians22 decades
  50. 50Henry Frederick, Prince of WalesHenry Frederick, Prince of Wales1594–1612 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0 decades
  51. 51Charles I Louis, Elector PalatineCharles I Louis, Elector Palatine1617–1680 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  52. 52Jan van RiebeeckJan van Riebeeck1619–1677 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Politicians7 decades
  53. 53Claude Louis Hector de VillarsClaude Louis Hector de Villars1653–1734 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  54. 545th Dalai Lama5th Dalai Lama1617–1682 · 🇨🇳 China · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-SiegenJohn Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen1604–1679 · Politicians20 decades
  56. 56Rafael CasanovaRafael Casanova1660–1743 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians11 decades
  57. 57Concino ConciniConcino Concini1569–1617 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades
  58. 58Hong TaijiHong Taiji1592–1643 · Politicians0 decades
  59. 59Natalya NaryshkinaNatalya Naryshkina1651–1694 · Politicians0 decades
  60. 60George Monck, 1st Duke of AlbemarleGeorge Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle1608–1670 · Politiciansnot measured—
  61. 61John of Austria the YoungerJohn of Austria the Younger1629–1679 · Politicians21 decades
  62. 62Lennart TorstenssonLennart Torstensson1603–1651 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  63. 63Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of CameronThomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron1612–1671 · Politiciansnot measured—
  64. 64François Leclerc du TremblayFrançois Leclerc du Tremblay1577–1638 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  65. 65Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand of AustriaCardinal-Infante Ferdinand of Austria1609–1641 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  66. 66Gabriel BethlenGabriel Bethlen1580–1629 · Politicians0 decades
  67. 67Tokugawa IemitsuTokugawa Iemitsu1604–1651 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  68. 68Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9 decades
  69. 69Elias AshmoleElias Ashmole1617–1692 · Politicians22 decades
  70. 70Marie Louise GonzagaMarie Louise Gonzaga1611–1667 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  71. 71Yuan ChonghuanYuan Chonghuan1584–1630 · Politicians1 decades
  72. 72Tokugawa HidetadaTokugawa Hidetada1579–1632 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  73. 73Charles III Philip, Elector PalatineCharles III Philip, Elector Palatine1661–1742 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  74. 74DorgonDorgon1612–1650 · Politicians4 decades
  75. 75Ranuccio I FarneseRanuccio I Farnese1569–1622 · Politicians19 decades
  76. 76Archduchess Maria Maddalena of AustriaArchduchess Maria Maddalena of Austria1589–1631 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  77. 77Countess Louise Henriette of NassauCountess Louise Henriette of Nassau1627–1667 · Politicians0 decades
  78. 78Al-Rashid of MoroccoAl-Rashid of Morocco1631–1672 · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of AustriaArchduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria1614–1662 · Politicians0 decades
  80. 80Guillaume DuboisGuillaume Dubois1656–1723 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians17 decades
  81. 81Hans-Adam I, Prince of LiechtensteinHans-Adam I, Prince of Liechtenstein1657–1712 · Politiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Carl Gustaf WrangelCarl Gustaf Wrangel1613–1676 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  83. 83Yonten GyatsoYonten Gyatso1589–1616 · Politicians0 decades
  84. 84Shi LangShi Lang1621–1696 · Politicians5 decades
  85. 85Anton Florian, Prince of LiechtensteinAnton Florian, Prince of Liechtenstein1656–1721 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  86. 86Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed PashaKöprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha1635–1676 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politiciansnot measured—
  87. 87John George IV, Elector of SaxonyJohn George IV, Elector of Saxony1668–1694 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians21 decades
  88. 88FasiladasFasiladas1603–1667 · Politicians0 decades
  89. 89Charles d'Albert de LuynesCharles d'Albert de Luynes1578–1621 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians20 decades
  90. 90Luisa de GuzmánLuisa de Guzmán1613–1666 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  91. 91IOInjo of Joseon1595–1649 · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Claudia de' MediciClaudia de' Medici1604–1648 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians14 decades
  93. 93Louis de Buade de FrontenacLouis de Buade de Frontenac1622–1698 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  94. 94Johan BanérJohan Banér1596–1641 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  95. 95Catherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of KleeburgCatherine of Sweden, Countess Palatine of Kleeburg1584–1638 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  96. 96Sigismund BáthorySigismund Báthory1572–1613 · Politicians0 decades
  97. 97Köprülü Mehmed PaşaKöprülü Mehmed Paşa1580–1661 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  98. 98Henry IretonHenry Ireton1611–1651 · Politicians9 decades
  99. 99Jahandar ShahJahandar Shah1661–1713 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians5 decades
  100. 100Shabdrung Ngawang NamgyalShabdrung Ngawang Namgyal1594–1651 · Politicians0 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.