1830–1839

The 1830s

Whose names filled the books of the 1830s — 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 1830s — whenever they lived.

  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures120
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers14
  3. 3AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  4. 4CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians12
  5. 5AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.8
  6. 6PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.7
  7. 7Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers8.5
  8. 8VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7.7
  9. 9HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers7.4
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures5.9
  11. 11Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians5.9
  12. 12Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures5.9
  13. 13Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5.8
  14. 14SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics5.8
  15. 15PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics5.7
  16. 16StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics5.1
  17. 17John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians4.8
  18. 18CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures4.7
  19. 19Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians4.4
  20. 20OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.0
  21. 21OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics3.7
  22. 22DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.7
  23. 23LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.4
  24. 24Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.4
  25. 25HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.4
  26. 26Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.4
  27. 27Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.4
  28. 28Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.4
  29. 29HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.4
  30. 30XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.3
  31. 31TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics3.2
  32. 32CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.8
  33. 33John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.8
  34. 34Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.8
  35. 35Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.8
  36. 36Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.8
  37. 37Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.8
  38. 38Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.8
  39. 39HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.8
  40. 40Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  41. 41Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.8
  42. 42OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.8
  43. 43Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.6
  44. 44James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.6
  45. 45PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.5
  46. 46TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.5
  47. 47EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.4
  48. 48Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.3
  49. 49Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.3
  50. 50HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.3
  51. 51ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.3
  52. 52Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.3
  53. 53Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.3
  54. 54Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.3
  55. 55Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  56. 56Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.3
  57. 57HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.3
  58. 58Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.3
  59. 59Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.3
  60. 60Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.3
  61. 61Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  62. 62Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  63. 63Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  64. 64PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  65. 65SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.1
  66. 66AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models2.1
  67. 67EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.0
  68. 68PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.0
  69. 69Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France2.0
  70. 70VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians2.0
  71. 71Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.9
  72. 72AlcibiadesAlcibiades450 BC–404 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.9
  73. 73Isaac NewtonIsaac Newton1642–1727 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.9
  74. 74HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors1.8
  75. 75Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.8
  76. 76John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.8
  77. 77BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.8
  78. 78AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  79. 79SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  80. 80PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  81. 81GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.7
  82. 82William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders1.6
  83. 83John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.6
  84. 84ThemistoclesThemistocles524 BC–459 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.5
  85. 85William JonesWilliam Jones1746–1794 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.5
  86. 86HesiodHesiodborn 776 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.5
  87. 87John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  88. 88William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.4
  89. 89WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.4
  90. 90William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.4
  91. 91WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.4
  92. 92WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.4
  93. 93William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.4
  94. 94WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.4
  95. 95WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.4
  96. 96ArrianArrian89–175 · 2nd century · Writers1.4
  97. 97IrenaeusIrenaeus130–202 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Academics1.4
  98. 98George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.4
  99. 99George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.4
  100. 100George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.4

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1830s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · Writers21 decades
  2. 2Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  3. 3Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Honoré de BalzacHonoré de Balzac1799–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  5. 5George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  6. 6Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  7. 7Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers22 decades
  8. 8Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · Models19 decades
  9. 9Mary ShelleyMary Shelley1797–1851 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  10. 10Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists20 decades
  11. 11William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  12. 12Hector BerliozHector Berlioz1803–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians19 decades
  13. 13Napoleon IINapoleon II1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers21 decades
  14. 14Fyodor TyutchevFyodor Tyutchev1803–1873 · Writers11 decades
  15. 15Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson1803–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  16. 16Adolphe ThiersAdolphe Thiers1797–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  17. 17Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics22 decades
  18. 18Mikhail GlinkaMikhail Glinka1804–1857 · Musicians12 decades
  19. 19Prosper MériméeProsper Mérimée1803–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  20. 20Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce1804–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  21. 21Ludwig FeuerbachLudwig Feuerbach1804–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics19 decades
  22. 22Évariste GaloisÉvariste Galois1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  23. 23Benjamin DisraeliBenjamin Disraeli1804–1881 · Politicians18 decades
  24. 24Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · Politicians21 decades
  25. 25James K. PolkJames K. Polk1795–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  26. 26Georg BüchnerGeorg Büchner1813–1837 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  27. 27Justus von LiebigJustus von Liebig1803–1873 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists17 decades
  28. 28Gaetano DonizettiGaetano Donizetti1797–1848 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians19 decades
  29. 29Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne1804–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers19 decades
  30. 30Helmuth von Moltke the ElderHelmuth von Moltke the Elder1800–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  31. 31Frederick William IV of PrussiaFrederick William IV of Prussia1795–1861 · Politicians21 decades
  32. 32Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore1800–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  33. 33Vincenzo BelliniVincenzo Bellini1801–1835 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians22 decades
  34. 34Adam MickiewiczAdam Mickiewicz1798–1855 · Writers12 decades
  35. 35Thomas CarlyleThomas Carlyle1795–1881 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers20 decades
  36. 36John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders22 decades
  37. 37Vladimir DalVladimir Dal1801–1872 · Academics10 decades
  38. 38Pedro I of BrazilPedro I of Brazil1798–1834 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figures0 decades
  39. 39Jules MicheletJules Michelet1798–1874 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  40. 40Nicolas Léonard Sadi CarnotNicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot1796–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  41. 41Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  42. 42Karl BryullovKarl Bryullov1799–1852 · Artists11 decades
  43. 43John Henry NewmanJohn Henry Newman1801–1890 · Religious Figures19 decades
  44. 44Johann Strauss IJohann Strauss I1804–1849 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musiciansnot measured
  45. 45Jean-Baptiste-Camille CorotJean-Baptiste-Camille Corot1796–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  46. 46Sojourner TruthSojourner Truth1797–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  47. 47Oscar I of SwedenOscar I of Sweden1799–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  48. 48HiroshigeHiroshige1797–1858 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artistsnot measured
  49. 49Frédéric BastiatFrédéric Bastiat1801–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics18 decades
  50. 50Mary AnningMary Anning1799–1847 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom5 decades
  51. 51Leopold von RankeLeopold von Ranke1795–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  52. 52Charles Albert of SardiniaCharles Albert of Sardinia1798–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures18 decades
  53. 53Pavel NakhimovPavel Nakhimov1802–185511 decades
  54. 54Kaspar HauserKaspar Hauser1812–1833 · Writers19 decades
  55. 55Allan KardecAllan Kardec1804–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  56. 56Shamil, 3rd Imam of DagestanShamil, 3rd Imam of Dagestan1797–1871not measured
  57. 57Carl Gustav Jacob JacobiCarl Gustav Jacob Jacobi1804–1851 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1 decades
  58. 58Annette von Droste-HülshoffAnnette von Droste-Hülshoff1797–1848 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians14 decades
  59. 59Lajos KossuthLajos Kossuth1802–1894 · Politicians7 decades
  60. 60Edward Bulwer-LyttonEdward Bulwer-Lytton1803–1873 · Politicians5 decades
  61. 61MongkutMongkut1804–1868 · Historical Figures12 decades
  62. 62Charles GoodyearCharles Goodyear1800–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  63. 63Richard OwenRichard Owen1804–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  64. 64Archduke Franz Karl of AustriaArchduke Franz Karl of Austria1802–1878 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  65. 65Anna Pavlovna of RussiaAnna Pavlovna of Russia1795–1865 · Artists0 decades
  66. 66James Clark RossJames Clark Ross1800–1862 · Historical Figures18 decades
  67. 67Miguel I of PortugalMiguel I of Portugal1802–1866 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figures0 decades
  68. 68William H. SewardWilliam H. Seward1801–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  69. 69Thomas ColeThomas Cole1801–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists22 decades
  70. 70Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of DerbyEdward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby1799–1869 · Politiciansnot measured
  71. 71August Heinrich Hoffmann von FallerslebenAugust Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben1798–1874 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics6 decades
  72. 72Thomas Babington MacaulayThomas Babington Macaulay1800–1859 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured
  73. 73Charles Lucien BonaparteCharles Lucien Bonaparte1803–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  74. 74Horace MannHorace Mann1796–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  75. 75Christian DopplerChristian Doppler1803–1853 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics8 decades
  76. 76Eugène SueEugène Sue1804–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  77. 77Napoléon Louis BonaparteNapoléon Louis Bonaparte1804–1831 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  78. 78Nat TurnerNat Turner1800–1831 · 🇺🇸 United States17 decades
  79. 79Robert StephensonRobert Stephenson1803–1859 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  80. 80James BowieJames Bowie1796–1836 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists18 decades
  81. 81Fredrika BremerFredrika Bremer1801–1865 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers16 decades
  82. 82Emperor NinkōEmperor Ninkō1800–1846 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figuresnot measured
  83. 83Utagawa KuniyoshiUtagawa Kuniyoshi1798–1861 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists0 decades
  84. 84Philipp Franz von SieboldPhilipp Franz von Siebold1796–1866 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists6 decades
  85. 85David FarragutDavid Farragut1801–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  86. 86Charles-Augustin Sainte-BeuveCharles-Augustin Sainte-Beuve1804–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured
  87. 87Anna AtkinsAnna Atkins1799–1871 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists0 decades
  88. 88Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  89. 89Flora TristanFlora Tristan1803–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  90. 90Leopold II, Grand Duke of TuscanyLeopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany1797–1870 · Historical Figures18 decades
  91. 91Paul DelarochePaul Delaroche1797–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists19 decades
  92. 92Manuela SáenzManuela Sáenz1797–1856 · Activists15 decades
  93. 93Friedrich WöhlerFriedrich Wöhler1800–1882 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists17 decades
  94. 94Emilia PlaterEmilia Plater1806–18310 decades
  95. 95Friedrich August II of SaxonyFriedrich August II of Saxony1797–1854 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures21 decades
  96. 96Sophie Rostopchine, Comtesse de SégurSophie Rostopchine, Comtesse de Ségur1799–1874 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured
  97. 97Johann I of SaxonyJohann I of Saxony1801–1873 · Historical Figuresnot measured
  98. 98Justo José de UrquizaJusto José de Urquiza1801–1870 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians20 decades
  99. 99William Henry Fox TalbotWilliam Henry Fox Talbot1800–1877 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists6 decades
  100. 100Alexander GorchakovAlexander Gorchakov1798–1883 · Politicians11 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.