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 French books during the 1840s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish11,257German2,512French2,481Italian1,520Spanish816Russian127Hebrew61
  1. 1Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures37
  2. 2VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers24
  3. 3Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures17
  4. 4Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures11
  5. 5MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9.8
  6. 6Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians7.6
  7. 7MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7.0
  8. 8Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6.9
  9. 9HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France6.9
  10. 10Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures6.3
  11. 11François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures5.9
  12. 12Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.0
  13. 13Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians3.5
  14. 14Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.5
  15. 15Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.3
  16. 16Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  17. 17Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.1
  18. 18Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France2.0
  19. 19Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  20. 20Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.8
  21. 21Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.7
  22. 22Odilon BarrotOdilon Barrot1791–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  23. 23Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.6
  24. 24Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  25. 25Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  26. 26Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.5
  27. 27Camille DesmoulinsCamille Desmoulins1760–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists1.4
  28. 28Pierre LerouxPierre Leroux1797–1871 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  29. 29Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France1.2
  30. 30Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.2
  31. 31Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.1
  32. 32Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.93
  33. 33Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.79
  34. 34Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany1477–1514 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.78
  35. 35Charles DupinCharles Dupin1784–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.75
  36. 36Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.73
  37. 37Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.72
  38. 38Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.71
  39. 39Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0.70
  40. 40André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.69
  41. 41Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of PenthièvreLouis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre1725–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.68
  42. 42Louis de Bourbon, Bishop of LiègeLouis de Bourbon, Bishop of Liège1438–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.68
  43. 43Louis, Count of VermandoisLouis, Count of Vermandois1667–1683 · 17th century0.68
  44. 44Louis de Bourbon, Count of ClermontLouis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont1709–1771 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.68
  45. 45Louis, Count of SoissonsLouis, Count of Soissons1604–1641 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.68
  46. 46Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.65
  47. 47Firmin DidotFirmin Didot1764–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.64
  48. 48Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday1768–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.63
  49. 49Mary of BurgundyMary of Burgundy1457–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.62
  50. 50Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  51. 51Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  52. 52Augustin ThierryAugustin Thierry1795–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  53. 53NostradamusNostradamus1503–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.61
  54. 54Margaret of ValoisMargaret of Valois1553–1615 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.60
  55. 55George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.60
  56. 56Charles NodierCharles Nodier1780–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.59
  57. 57Pope Clement IVPope Clement IV1190–1268 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.58
  58. 58Vincent of BeauvaisVincent of Beauvais1190–1264 · 13th century · Educators0.57
  59. 59Diane de PoitiersDiane de Poitiers1499–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.56
  60. 60Casimir DelavigneCasimir Delavigne1793–1843 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.54
  61. 61Ambroise ParéAmbroise Paré1510–1590 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.54
  62. 62Charles, Duke of OrléansCharles, Duke of Orléans1394–1465 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  63. 63Lucien BonaparteLucien Bonaparte1775–1840 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.52
  64. 64Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de MaintenonFrançoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon1635–1719 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.52
  65. 65Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.48
  66. 66Jean BartJean Bart1650–1702 · 17th century0.48
  67. 67Jean GoujonJean Goujon1510–1567 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Architects0.45
  68. 68Philip I, Count of FlandersPhilip I, Count of Flanders1142–1191 · 12th century · Politicians0.45
  69. 69Gustav III of SwedenGustav III of Sweden1746–1792 · 18th century · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0.45
  70. 70Pope Gregory XIPope Gregory XI1329–1378 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.44
  71. 71Jeanne d'AlbretJeanne d'Albret1528–1572 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.44
  72. 72Blanche of CastileBlanche of Castile1188–1252 · 13th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.43
  73. 73Philippe I, Duke of OrléansPhilippe I, Duke of Orléans1640–1701 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.43
  74. 74Philippe II, Duke of OrléansPhilippe II, Duke of Orléans1674–1723 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.43
  75. 75Prince Philippe, Count of ParisPrince Philippe, Count of Paris1838–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.43
  76. 76Godfrey of BouillonGodfrey of Bouillon1060–1100 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.43
  77. 77Eugène SueEugène Sue1804–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.43
  78. 78Jacques ClémentJacques Clément1567–1589 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.42
  79. 79Charles, Count of SoissonsCharles, Count of Soissons1566–1612 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.41
  80. 80Antoine Quentin Fouquier-TinvilleAntoine Quentin Fouquier-Tinville1746–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.40
  81. 81DrogoDrogo801–855 · 9th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.40
  82. 82Pope Urban VPope Urban V1310–1370 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.39
  83. 83Louis d'Orléans, Duke of OrléansLouis d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans1703–1752 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.39
  84. 84Prince Louis, Duke of NemoursPrince Louis, Duke of Nemours1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France0.39
  85. 85Robert EstienneRobert Estienne1503–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.39
  86. 86Napoleon IINapoleon II1811–1832 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Designers0.36
  87. 87La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.36
  88. 88Antoine of NavarreAntoine of Navarre1518–1562 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.36
  89. 89Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.36
  90. 90Horace VernetHorace Vernet1789–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.36
  91. 91RRutebeuf1245–1285 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.36
  92. 92Philip of BurgundyPhilip of Burgundy1323–1346 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France0.35
  93. 93Claude MichelClaude Michel1738–1814 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.33
  94. 94Gaston of Foix, Duke of NemoursGaston of Foix, Duke of Nemours1489–1512 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.33
  95. 95Peter the HermitPeter the Hermit1050–1115 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.32
  96. 96Pierre CorneillePierre Corneille1606–1684 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.32
  97. 97Olivier de SerresOlivier de Serres1539–1619 · 16th century · Writers0.31
  98. 98Charles FourierCharles Fourier1772–1837 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.30
  99. 99Quatremère de QuincyQuatremère de Quincy1755–1849 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.30
  100. 100Jean de VienneJean de Vienne1340–1396 · 14th century · Politicians0.30

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.