Claim profile
1800–1809

The 1800s

Whose names filled the books of the 1800s — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in English books during the 1800s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish7,423French1,684German1,517Italian1,236Spanish574Hebrew41Russian23
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures107
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers26
  3. 3CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians22
  4. 4VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers21
  5. 5AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians16
  6. 6PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics12
  7. 7AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics12
  8. 8PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics9.9
  9. 9SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics8.9
  10. 10HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers7.8
  11. 11OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7.8
  12. 12Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures7.5
  13. 13Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians7.5
  14. 14Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures7.5
  15. 15DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians6.2
  16. 16CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures5.8
  17. 17Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures5.5
  18. 18HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany5.5
  19. 19Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians5.5
  20. 20Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures5.5
  21. 21Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century5.5
  22. 22HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century5.5
  23. 23StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics5.5
  24. 24CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures4.5
  25. 25HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures3.9
  26. 26Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century3.9
  27. 27Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians3.9
  28. 28Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century3.9
  29. 29Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians3.9
  30. 30Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century3.9
  31. 31Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.9
  32. 32Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models3.9
  33. 33LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.9
  34. 34HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century3.6
  35. 35Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians3.6
  36. 36Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century3.6
  37. 37XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.6
  38. 38PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers3.6
  39. 39PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.6
  40. 40William JonesWilliam Jones1746–1794 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics3.5
  41. 41Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France3.3
  42. 42SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers3.3
  43. 43PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.2
  44. 44OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3.2
  45. 45EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers3.2
  46. 46Isaac NewtonIsaac Newton1642–1727 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics3.2
  47. 47TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians3.2
  48. 48LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.1
  49. 49James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century3.1
  50. 50AlcibiadesAlcibiades450 BC–404 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.0
  51. 51HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.8
  52. 52Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.8
  53. 53Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.8
  54. 54Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.8
  55. 55Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.8
  56. 56Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.8
  57. 57Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.8
  58. 58Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.8
  59. 59Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.8
  60. 60Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.8
  61. 61Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  62. 62Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.8
  63. 63HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors2.8
  64. 64VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians2.8
  65. 65Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France2.8
  66. 66PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.8
  67. 67EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.8
  68. 68OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics2.6
  69. 69LucanLucan39–65 · 1st century · Writers2.6
  70. 70Robert WalpoleRobert Walpole1676–1745 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians2.6
  71. 71John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.5
  72. 72Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures2.5
  73. 73BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.5
  74. 74Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.4
  75. 75AnacreonAnacreon570 BC–485 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers2.4
  76. 76SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.4
  77. 77ThemistoclesThemistocles524 BC–459 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.4
  78. 78DomitianDomitian51–96 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.3
  79. 79SuetoniusSuetonius70–126 · 2nd century · Writers2.3
  80. 80SallustSallust86 BC–35 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.3
  81. 81AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models2.2
  82. 82GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors2.2
  83. 83QuintilianQuintilian35–96 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Educators2.2
  84. 84George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century2.2
  85. 85George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century2.2
  86. 86George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century2.2
  87. 87Joseph BanksJoseph Banks1743–1820 · 18th century · Scientists2.1
  88. 88TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics2.1
  89. 89EpicurusEpicurus342 BC–270 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  90. 90William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.0
  91. 91William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.0
  92. 92WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century2.0
  93. 93WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.0
  94. 94WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century2.0
  95. 95WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures2.0
  96. 96WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures2.0
  97. 97William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.0
  98. 98AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.0
  99. 99John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2.0
  100. 100Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.0

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1800s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  2. 2Ludwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven1770–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians21 decades
  3. 3Georg Wilhelm Friedrich HegelGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel1770–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades
  4. 4Alexander von HumboldtAlexander von Humboldt1769–1859 · Historical Figures8 decades
  5. 5Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  6. 6Caspar David FriedrichCaspar David Friedrich1774–1840 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists11 decades
  7. 7Louis Philippe ILouis Philippe I1773–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Models19 decades
  8. 8Francis II, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis II, Holy Roman Emperor1768–183522 decades
  9. 9François-René de ChateaubriandFrançois-René de Chateaubriand1768–1848 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  10. 10William IV of the United KingdomWilliam IV of the United Kingdom1765–1837 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  11. 11NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  12. 12Ivan KrylovIvan Krylov1769–1844 · Writers18 decades
  13. 13Germaine de StaëlGermaine de Staël1766–1817 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  14. 14Klemens von MetternichKlemens von Metternich1773–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  15. 15Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  16. 16John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams1767–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  17. 17Pope Gregory XVIPope Gregory XVI1765–1846 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures19 decades
  18. 18Friedrich HölderlinFriedrich Hölderlin1770–1843 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  19. 19Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of WellingtonArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington1769–1852 · Politiciansnot measured—
  20. 20Nikolay KaramzinNikolay Karamzin1766–1826 · Writers20 decades
  21. 21Joachim MuratJoachim Murat1767–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  22. 22William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison1773–1841 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  23. 23Wilhelm von HumboldtWilhelm von Humboldt1767–1835 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  24. 24Joseph FourierJoseph Fourier1768–1830 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  25. 25Thomas Robert MalthusThomas Robert Malthus1766–1834 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics8 decades
  26. 26Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  27. 27John DaltonJohn Dalton1766–1844 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  28. 28David RicardoDavid Ricardo1772–1823 · Academics21 decades
  29. 29Frederick William III of PrussiaFrederick William III of Prussia1770–1840 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  30. 30Muhammad Ali of EgyptMuhammad Ali of Egypt1769–1849 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  31. 31William WordsworthWilliam Wordsworth1770–1850 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  32. 32Georges CuvierGeorges Cuvier1769–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists21 decades
  33. 33Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians22 decades
  34. 34Charles FourierCharles Fourier1772–1837 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  35. 35Nicéphore NiépceNicéphore Niépce1765–1833 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists6 decades
  36. 36Michel NeyMichel Ney1769–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  37. 37Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians21 decades
  38. 38Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge1772–1834 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  39. 39Pyotr BagrationPyotr Bagration1765–1812 · Historical Figures7 decades
  40. 40Friedrich SchleiermacherFriedrich Schleiermacher1768–1834 · Academics21 decades
  41. 41William I of the NetherlandsWilliam I of the Netherlands1772–1843 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Historical Figures0 decades
  42. 42Thomas YoungThomas Young1773–1829 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  43. 43Robert OwenRobert Owen1771–1858 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Founders22 decades
  44. 44José María MorelosJosé María Morelos1765–1815 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Religious Figures21 decades
  45. 45Jean LannesJean Lannes1769–1809 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1 decades
  46. 46Frederick VI of DenmarkFrederick VI of Denmark1768–1839 · Historical Figures0 decades
  47. 47TecumsehTecumseh1768–1813 · 🇺🇸 United Statesnot measured—
  48. 48Louis-Nicolas DavoutLouis-Nicolas Davout1770–1823 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  49. 49Ernest Augustus, King of HanoverErnest Augustus, King of Hanover1771–1851 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0 decades
  50. 50Robert FultonRobert Fulton1765–1815 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists22 decades
  51. 51John VI of PortugalJohn VI of Portugal1767–1826 · 🇵🇹 Portugal0 decades
  52. 52Joseph Radetzky von RadetzJoseph Radetzky von Radetz1766–1858 · Politiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Richard TrevithickRichard Trevithick1771–1833 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists19 decades
  54. 54Archduke Charles, Duke of TeschenArchduke Charles, Duke of Teschen1771–1847not measured—
  55. 55Jean-de-Dieu SoultJean-de-Dieu Soult1769–1851 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  56. 56José Gaspar Rodríguez de FranciaJosé Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia1766–1840 · Politicians13 decades
  57. 57Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and StrathearnPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn1767–1820 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  58. 58Mustafa IVMustafa IV1779–1808 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Models0 decades
  59. 59Fath-Ali Shah QajarFath-Ali Shah Qajar1772–1834 · Historical Figures0 decades
  60. 60Caroline of BrunswickCaroline of Brunswick1768–1821 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  61. 61SequoyahSequoyah1770–1843 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  62. 62George CanningGeorge Canning1770–1827 · Politicians22 decades
  63. 63Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  64. 64Maria Theresa of Naples and SicilyMaria Theresa of Naples and Sicily1772–1807 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Andreas HoferAndreas Hofer1767–1810 · 🇮🇹 Italy22 decades
  66. 66Matthew FlindersMatthew Flinders1774–1814 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures15 decades
  67. 67Emma, Lady HamiltonEmma, Lady Hamilton1765–1815 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1 decades
  68. 68Meriwether LewisMeriwether Lewis1774–1809 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures19 decades
  69. 69Bertel ThorvaldsenBertel Thorvaldsen1770–1844 · Artists1 decades
  70. 70Manuel GodoyManuel Godoy1767–1851 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  71. 71William ClarkWilliam Clark1770–1838 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures22 decades
  72. 72Anne Catherine EmmerichAnne Catherine Emmerich1774–1824 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  73. 73Auguste de MarmontAuguste de Marmont1774–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Henri ChristopheHenri Christophe1767–1820 · Politicians9 decades
  75. 75Charles Felix of SavoyCharles Felix of Savoy1765–1831 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0 decades
  76. 76Mungo ParkMungo Park1771–1806 · Historical Figures22 decades
  77. 77KarađorđeKarađorđe1768–1817 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Activists0 decades
  78. 78Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of LiverpoolRobert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool1770–1828 · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex1773–1843 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  80. 80Emperor KōkakuEmperor Kōkaku1771–1840 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  81. 81Rachel JacksonRachel Jackson1767–1828 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  82. 82Robert BrownRobert Brown1773–1858 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  83. 83Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of TuscanyFerdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany1769–1824 · Politicians0 decades
  84. 84Robert SoutheyRobert Southey1774–1843 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  85. 85Ludwig TieckLudwig Tieck1773–1853 · Writers9 decades
  86. 86Daniel D. TompkinsDaniel D. Tompkins1774–1825 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  87. 87Theodoros KolokotronisTheodoros Kolokotronis1770–1843 · Politicians0 decades
  88. 88Jean-Baptiste SayJean-Baptiste Say1767–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics21 decades
  89. 89Prince Adolphus, Duke of CambridgePrince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge1774–1850 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Eli WhitneyEli Whitney1765–1825 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists21 decades
  91. 91Ernst Moritz ArndtErnst Moritz Arndt1769–1860 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  92. 92Johnny AppleseedJohnny Appleseed1774–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  93. 93Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–181014 decades
  94. 94Adam CzartoryskiAdam Czartoryski1770–1861 · Politicians11 decades
  95. 95Adam Johann von KrusensternAdam Johann von Krusenstern1770–1846 · Historical Figures0 decades
  96. 96James MillJames Mill1773–1836 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  97. 97Robert Stewart, Viscount CastlereaghRobert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh1769–1822 · Politicians1 decades
  98. 98Laskarina BouboulinaLaskarina Bouboulina1771–1825 · 🇹🇷 Turkey0 decades
  99. 99Phutthaloetla NaphalaiPhutthaloetla Naphalai1768–1824 · Historical Figures0 decades
  100. 100Ivan KotliarevskyiIvan Kotliarevskyi1769–1838 · Writers2 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.