Claim profile
1840–1849

The 1840s

Whose names filled the books of the 1840s — 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 Spanish books during the 1840s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish11,257German2,512French2,481Italian1,520Spanish816Russian127Hebrew61
  1. 1John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians6.5
  2. 2Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.2
  3. 3Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.0
  4. 4John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal4.4
  5. 5Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.5
  6. 6John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.5
  7. 7Juan López de PadillaJuan López de Padilla1490–1521 · 16th century · Activists2.1
  8. 8Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  9. 9WittizaWittiza686–710 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.5
  10. 10Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.4
  11. 11Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.4
  12. 12Manuel GodoyManuel Godoy1767–1851 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.4
  13. 13Anna of Austria, Queen of SpainAnna of Austria, Queen of Spain1549–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.4
  14. 14Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.4
  15. 15Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.2
  16. 16Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.2
  17. 17Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.1
  18. 18Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.1
  19. 19Ambrosio de MoralesAmbrosio de Morales1513–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.1
  20. 20Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.99
  21. 21Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.99
  22. 22Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.96
  23. 23Juan BravoJuan Bravo1483–1521 · 16th century · Politicians0.93
  24. 24Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.90
  25. 25Baldomero Espartero, Prince of VergaraBaldomero Espartero, Prince of Vergara1793–1879 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.89
  26. 26Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.88
  27. 27RecceswinthRecceswinthdied 672 · 7th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.86
  28. 28Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.75
  29. 29Juan de HerreraJuan de Herrera1530–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects0.74
  30. 30Francisco PachecoFrancisco Pacheco1564–1644 · 16th century · Artists0.74
  31. 31Thomas of VillanovaThomas of Villanova1488–1555 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.71
  32. 32Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.70
  33. 33Alonso CanoAlonso Cano1601–1667 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.66
  34. 34Gonzalo de SandovalGonzalo de Sandoval1497–1528 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.63
  35. 35PPPedro Pizarro1515–1570 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.62
  36. 36Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.60
  37. 37Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.58
  38. 38Juan de GrijalvaJuan de Grijalva1490–1527 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.58
  39. 39Melchor CanoMelchor Cano1509–1560 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.56
  40. 40Elisabeth FarneseElisabeth Farnese1692–1766 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.56
  41. 41Manuel OribeManuel Oribe1792–1857 · 19th century · Politicians0.56
  42. 42Juan de MarianaJuan de Mariana1536–1624 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.55
  43. 43Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.55
  44. 44Manuel José QuintanaManuel José Quintana1772–1857 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.49
  45. 45Gaspar Melchor de JovellanosGaspar Melchor de Jovellanos1744–1811 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.47
  46. 46SampiroSampiro956–1041 · 10th century · Politicians0.45
  47. 47Juan de CastroJuan de Castro1431–1506 · 15th century0.45
  48. 48Diego de OrdazDiego de Ordaz1480–1532 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.44
  49. 49Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.44
  50. 50FDFrancisco de las Casas1461–1536 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.43
  51. 51Francisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of BailénFrancisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of Bailén1758–1852 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.43
  52. 52Francisco de Montejo y LeónFrancisco de Montejo y León1479–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.42
  53. 53Isabella of Castile, Queen of AragonIsabella of Castile, Queen of Aragon1283–1328 · 14th century0.42
  54. 54Juan de RiberaJuan de Ribera1532–1611 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.40
  55. 55Alexander Farnese, Duke of ParmaAlexander Farnese, Duke of Parma1545–1592 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.40
  56. 56HDHernando del Pulgar1436–1492 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.40
  57. 57Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.39
  58. 58Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.38
  59. 59LDLouis de Beaumont, 2nd Count de Lerín1430–1508 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.38
  60. 60AlfonsoAlfonso1453–1468 · 15th century · Politicians0.37
  61. 61María de PadillaMaría de Padilla1334–1361 · 14th century0.37
  62. 62Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.37
  63. 63Rodrigo CaroRodrigo Caro1573–1647 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.37
  64. 64Francisco de VillagraFrancisco de Villagra1511–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.36
  65. 65Isidore of SevilleIsidore of Seville560–636 · 6th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.36
  66. 66Pedro TenorioPedro Tenorio1328–1399 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.35
  67. 67María PachecoMaría Pacheco1496–1531 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.35
  68. 68Ricardo WallRicardo Wall1694–1777 · 18th century · Politicians0.35
  69. 69Bartolomé de MedinaBartolomé de Medina1527–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.33
  70. 70Antonio Osorio de AcuñaAntonio Osorio de Acuña1459–1526 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.33
  71. 71Alonso de ErcillaAlonso de Ercilla1533–1595 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.32
  72. 72Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto1500–1542 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.31
  73. 73Elisabeth of ValoisElisabeth of Valois1545–1568 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.31
  74. 74José ZorrillaJosé Zorrilla1817–1893 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.30
  75. 75Juan de OrtegaJuan de Ortega1480–1568 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.30
  76. 76Andrés LagunaAndrés Laguna1499–1559 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.30
  77. 77Alonso de AlvaradoAlonso de Alvarado1500–1556 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.30
  78. 78Luis de MendozaLuis de Mendoza1500–1520 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.30
  79. 79Jaime BalmesJaime Balmes1810–1848 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.30
  80. 80Rodrigo de QuirogaRodrigo de Quiroga1512–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.29
  81. 81Bernardino de MendozaBernardino de Mendoza1540–1604 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.28
  82. 82Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.28
  83. 83Benito Arias MontanoBenito Arias Montano1527–1598 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.27
  84. 84Juan del CastilloJuan del Castillo1596–1628 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.27
  85. 85Fernando de HerreraFernando de Herrera1534–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.27
  86. 86Luis de GóngoraLuis de Góngora1561–1627 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.26
  87. 87Antonio de NebrijaAntonio de Nebrija1444–1522 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.26
  88. 88Juan José FloresJuan José Flores1800–1864 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.26
  89. 89Alonso de AragónAlonso de Aragón1470–1520 · 16th century · Religious Figures0.26
  90. 90Rafael del RiegoRafael del Riego1784–1823 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.26
  91. 91Juan de la CosaJuan de la Cosa1450–1510 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.25
  92. 92Pablo de CéspedesPablo de Céspedes1538–1608 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.24
  93. 93Juan de SalcedoJuan de Salcedo1549–1576 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.24
  94. 94EurosiaEurosia864–880 · 9th century0.24
  95. 95Henry IV of CastileHenry IV of Castile1425–1474 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.24
  96. 96Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.24
  97. 97Juan Bautista de ToledoJuan Bautista de Toledo1515–1567 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects0.24
  98. 98John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.23
  99. 99Antonio de UlloaAntonio de Ulloa1716–1795 · 18th century · Writers0.22
  100. 100Isabella of PortugalIsabella of Portugal1503–1539 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Politicians0.21

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1840s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  2. 2Charles DarwinCharles Darwin1809–1882 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists21 decades
  3. 3Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  4. 4Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin1810–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  5. 5Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · Writers19 decades
  6. 6Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe1809–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  7. 7Charles DickensCharles Dickens1812–1870 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers20 decades
  8. 8Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians18 decades
  9. 9Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  10. 10Mikhail LermontovMikhail Lermontov1814–1841 · Writers15 decades
  11. 11Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen1805–1875 · Writers18 decades
  12. 12Pope Leo XIIIPope Leo XIII1810–1903 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures15 decades
  13. 13Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  14. 14Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · Writers13 decades
  15. 15Franz LisztFranz Liszt1811–1886 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians19 decades
  16. 16Felix MendelssohnFelix Mendelssohn1809–1847 · Musicians18 decades
  17. 17Emily BrontëEmily Brontë1818–1848 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  18. 18Robert SchumannRobert Schumann1810–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  19. 19Søren KierkegaardSøren Kierkegaard1813–1855 · Academics3 decades
  20. 20Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  21. 21Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  22. 22Mikhail BakuninMikhail Bakunin1814–1876 · Activists16 decades
  23. 23Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville1805–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  24. 24Joseph SmithJoseph Smith1805–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  25. 25Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists20 decades
  26. 26Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee1807–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  27. 27Camillo Benso, Count of CavourCamillo Benso, Count of Cavour1810–1861 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians10 decades
  28. 28John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill1806–1873 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics18 decades
  29. 29Pierre-Joseph ProudhonPierre-Joseph Proudhon1809–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  30. 30P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum1810–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  31. 31Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  32. 32Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  33. 33Alexander HerzenAlexander Herzen1812–1870 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers16 decades
  34. 34Ivan GoncharovIvan Goncharov1812–1891 · Writers17 decades
  35. 35David LivingstoneDavid Livingstone1813–1873 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  36. 36Patrice de MacMahonPatrice de MacMahon1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  37. 37Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  38. 38Vissarion BelinskyVissarion Belinsky1811–1848 · Academics15 decades
  39. 39Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  40. 40Anne BrontëAnne Brontë1820–1849 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1 decades
  41. 41Max StirnerMax Stirner1806–1856 · Academics18 decades
  42. 42Emir AbdelkaderEmir Abdelkader1808–1883 · Politicians0 decades
  43. 43Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers18 decades
  44. 44Harriet Beecher StoweHarriet Beecher Stowe1811–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  45. 45Georges-Eugène HaussmannGeorges-Eugène Haussmann1809–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  46. 46Eugène Viollet-le-DucEugène Viollet-le-Duc1814–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Architectsnot measured—
  47. 47Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  48. 48Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians18 decades
  49. 49William Makepeace ThackerayWilliam Makepeace Thackeray1811–1863 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers17 decades
  50. 50Jean-François MilletJean-François Millet1814–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  51. 51Nikolai PirogovNikolai Pirogov1810–1881 · Scientists15 decades
  52. 52William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone1809–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians18 decades
  53. 53Alfred TennysonAlfred Tennyson1809–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  54. 54Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow1807–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  55. 55Adolphe SaxAdolphe Sax1814–1894 · Musicians13 decades
  56. 56Honoré DaumierHonoré Daumier1808–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  57. 57Ferdinand de LessepsFerdinand de Lesseps1805–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  58. 58Jules GrévyJules Grévy1807–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  59. 59Elizabeth Barrett BrowningElizabeth Barrett Browning1806–1861 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers17 decades
  60. 60Samuel ColtSamuel Colt1814–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists18 decades
  61. 61Robert BrowningRobert Browning1812–1889 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  62. 62Peter Gustav Lejeune DirichletPeter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet1805–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades
  63. 63Maximilian II of BavariaMaximilian II of Bavaria1811–1864 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  64. 64Isambard Kingdom BrunelIsambard Kingdom Brunel1806–1859 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists2 decades
  65. 65Louis Auguste BlanquiLouis Auguste Blanqui1805–1881 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  66. 66William Rowan HamiltonWilliam Rowan Hamilton1805–1865 · Academics16 decades
  67. 67Sándor PetőfiSándor Petőfi1823–1849 · Writers0 decades
  68. 68Maria Christina of the Two SiciliesMaria Christina of the Two Sicilies1806–1878 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  69. 69Antonio MeucciAntonio Meucci1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists14 decades
  70. 70Elizabeth GaskellElizabeth Gaskell1810–1865 · Writers7 decades
  71. 71Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians10 decades
  72. 72Fanny MendelssohnFanny Mendelssohn1805–1847 · Musicians10 decades
  73. 73Isaac SingerIsaac Singer1811–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0 decades
  74. 74Frederick VII of DenmarkFrederick VII of Denmark1808–1863 · Historical Figures0 decades
  75. 75Princess Sophie of BavariaPrincess Sophie of Bavaria1805–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  76. 76Ferdinand II of the Two SiciliesFerdinand II of the Two Sicilies1810–1859 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Éliphas LéviÉliphas Lévi1810–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  78. 78Louise of OrléansLouise of Orléans1812–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures21 decades
  79. 79John SnowJohn Snow1813–1858 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Doctors21 decades
  80. 80Jenny von WestphalenJenny von Westphalen1814–1881 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  81. 81Emperor NortonEmperor Norton1811–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Business Professionals0 decades
  82. 82Margaret FullerMargaret Fuller1810–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  83. 83Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.1809–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers19 decades
  84. 84William Lloyd GarrisonWilliam Lloyd Garrison1805–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists19 decades
  85. 85Josephine of LeuchtenbergJosephine of Leuchtenberg1807–1876 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  86. 86Louis AgassizLouis Agassiz1807–1873 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists16 decades
  87. 87Robert BunsenRobert Bunsen1811–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  88. 88Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. Douglas1813–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  89. 89Bruno BauerBruno Bauer1809–1882 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics19 decades
  90. 90Horace GreeleyHorace Greeley1811–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  91. 91Albert PikeAlbert Pike1809–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  92. 92Edward LearEdward Lear1812–1888 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists15 decades
  93. 93Kit CarsonKit Carson1809–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures18 decades
  94. 94Sheridan Le FanuSheridan Le Fanu1814–1873 · Writers8 decades
  95. 95Henry WilsonHenry Wilson1812–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  96. 96Princess Ludovika of BavariaPrincess Ludovika of Bavaria1808–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  97. 97Mohammad Shah QajarMohammad Shah Qajar1808–1848 · Politicians0 decades
  98. 98Henri NestléHenri Nestlé1814–1890 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Founders0 decades
  99. 99Bettino RicasoliBettino Ricasoli1809–1880 · Politicians22 decades
  100. 100Moses HessMoses Hess1812–1875 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 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.