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 Russian books during the 1840s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish11,257German2,512French2,481Italian1,520Spanish816Russian127Hebrew61
  1. 1Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures6.8
  2. 2Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers3.0
  3. 3Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.6
  4. 4Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century1.0
  5. 5Pyotr PaninPyotr Panin1721–1789 · 18th century0.98
  6. 6Vissarion BelinskyVissarion Belinsky1811–1848 · 19th century · Academics0.92
  7. 7Stefan YavorskyStefan Yavorsky1658–1722 · 17th century · Academics0.71
  8. 8Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.67
  9. 9Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.65
  10. 10Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.60
  11. 11Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.54
  12. 12Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians0.51
  13. 13Konstantin AksakovKonstantin Aksakov1817–1860 · 19th century · Writers0.48
  14. 14Dimitry of RostovDimitry of Rostov1651–1709 · 17th century · Writers0.46
  15. 15Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.45
  16. 16Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.43
  17. 17Vasily Vasilyevich GolitsynVasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn1643–1714 · 17th century · Politicians0.40
  18. 18Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.40
  19. 19Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.38
  20. 20Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.37
  21. 21Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.35
  22. 22Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.35
  23. 23Nikita PaninNikita Panin1718–1783 · 18th century · Politicians0.35
  24. 24Ivan MazepaIvan Mazepa1639–1709 · 17th century · Politicians0.35
  25. 25Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.33
  26. 26Alexander Sergeyevich StroganovAlexander Sergeyevich Stroganov1733–1811 · 18th century · Writers0.33
  27. 27Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.32
  28. 28Nikolay KaramzinNikolay Karamzin1766–1826 · 19th century · Writers0.27
  29. 29Alexander SumarokovAlexander Sumarokov1717–1777 · 18th century · Writers0.27
  30. 30Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.25
  31. 31Ivan Ivanovich ShuvalovIvan Ivanovich Shuvalov1727–1797 · 18th century · Writers0.25
  32. 32Grigory PotemkinGrigory Potemkin1739–1791 · 18th century · Politicians0.20
  33. 33Vladimir OdoevskyVladimir Odoevsky1803–1869 · 19th century · Writers0.18
  34. 34Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  35. 35Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.17
  36. 36Konstantin of RostovKonstantin of Rostov1185–1218 · 13th century · Politicians0.17
  37. 37Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.15
  38. 38Alexander MenshikovAlexander Menshikov1673–1729 · 18th century · Politicians0.15
  39. 39Dmitry PozharskyDmitry Pozharsky1577–1642 · 17th century · Politicians0.14
  40. 40Alexander Sergeyevich MenshikovAlexander Sergeyevich Menshikov1787–1869 · 19th century · Politicians0.13
  41. 41Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.13
  42. 42Pyotr Andreyevich TolstoyPyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy1645–1729 · 17th century · Writers0.12
  43. 43Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.12
  44. 44Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.11
  45. 45Luka ZhidiataLuka Zhidiatadied 1059 · 11th century0.11
  46. 46Boris SheremetevBoris Sheremetev1652–1719 · 17th century · Politicians0.11
  47. 47Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.11
  48. 48Peter Ivanovich ShuvalovPeter Ivanovich Shuvalov1711–1762 · 18th century · Politicians0.10
  49. 49Nicholas RepninNicholas Repnin1734–1801 · 18th century · Writers0.09
  50. 50Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.09
  51. 51Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.09
  52. 52Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.08
  53. 53DZDaniil Zatochnik1101–1299 · 12th century · Writers0.08
  54. 54Kirill RazumovskyKirill Razumovsky1728–1803 · 18th century · Politicians0.08
  55. 55Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.08
  56. 56Ivan KrylovIvan Krylov1769–1844 · 19th century · Writers0.08
  57. 57Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.07
  58. 58Mikhail VorontsovMikhail Vorontsov1782–1856 · 19th century · Politicians0.07
  59. 59Paul of KolomnaPaul of Kolomna1600–1656 · 17th century · Writers0.07
  60. 60Sophia Alekseyevna of RussiaSophia Alekseyevna of Russia1657–1704 · 17th century · Politicians0.07
  61. 61Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.06
  62. 62Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.05
  63. 63Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.05
  64. 64Peter II of RussiaPeter II of Russia1715–1730 · 18th century · Politicians0.05
  65. 65Mikhail LermontovMikhail Lermontov1814–1841 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  66. 66Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  67. 67Dmitry GrigorovichDmitry Grigorovich1822–1899 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  68. 68Faddey BulgarinFaddey Bulgarin1789–1859 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  69. 69Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  70. 70Ivan DmitrievIvan Dmitriev1760–1837 · 18th century · Writers0.04
  71. 71Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.04
  72. 72Mykhailo MaksymovychMykhailo Maksymovych1804–1873 · 19th century · Writers0.04
  73. 73Vasily TrediakovskyVasily Trediakovsky1703–1768 · 18th century · Writers0.04
  74. 74Alexander ShishkovAlexander Shishkov1754–1841 · 18th century · Writers0.04
  75. 75Nikolay RumyantsevNikolay Rumyantsev1754–1826 · 18th century · Writers0.04
  76. 76Alexander OstrovskyAlexander Ostrovsky1823–1886 · 19th century · Writers0.03
  77. 77Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.03
  78. 78Alexander von BenckendorffAlexander von Benckendorff1781–1844 · 19th century · Politicians0.03
  79. 79Mikhail SperanskyMikhail Speransky1772–1839 · 19th century · Politicians0.03
  80. 80Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.03
  81. 81Alexei Grigoryevich OrlovAlexei Grigoryevich Orlov1737–1807 · 18th century · Politicians0.03
  82. 82Catherine I of RussiaCatherine I of Russia1684–1727 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.03
  83. 83Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · 19th century · Scientists0.02
  84. 84Mikhail of TverMikhail of Tver1271–1318 · 14th century · Politicians0.02
  85. 85Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.02
  86. 86Vladimir DalVladimir Dal1801–1872 · 19th century · Academics0.02
  87. 87Mikhail KamenskyMikhail Kamensky1738–1809 · 18th century0.02
  88. 88Sergey UvarovSergey Uvarov1786–1855 · 19th century · Writers0.02
  89. 89Matvey Ivanovich PlatovMatvey Ivanovich Platov1753–1818 · 18th century0.02
  90. 90Alexey Andreevich ArakcheyevAlexey Andreevich Arakcheyev1769–1834 · 19th century · Politicians0.02
  91. 91Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.02
  92. 92Vasily KapnistVasily Kapnist1758–1823 · 18th century · Writers0.02
  93. 93Kuzma MininKuzma Minindied 1616 · 17th century · Politicians0.02
  94. 94Gavrila DerzhavinGavrila Derzhavin1743–1816 · 18th century · Writers0.02
  95. 95Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.02
  96. 96Xenia ShestovaXenia Shestova1560–1631 · 16th century0.02
  97. 97Ivan GoncharovIvan Goncharov1812–1891 · 19th century · Writers0.02
  98. 98Aleksey KoltsovAleksey Koltsov1809–1842 · 19th century · Writers0.02
  99. 99HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.02
  100. 100Antiochus KantemirAntiochus Kantemir1708–1744 · 18th century · Academics0.01

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.