Claim profile
1850–1859

The 1850s

Whose names filled the books of the 1850s — 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 1850s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish12,094German2,781French2,698Italian1,574Spanish890Russian146Hebrew78
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures93
  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. 5PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics11
  6. 6AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.5
  7. 7HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers7.6
  8. 8VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7.2
  9. 9SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.5
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures5.6
  11. 11Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures5.6
  12. 12Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians5.6
  13. 13John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians5.5
  14. 14PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics5.3
  15. 15Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians4.9
  16. 16DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians4.4
  17. 17CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures4.4
  18. 18LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.1
  19. 19StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.1
  20. 20Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.6
  21. 21OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics3.5
  22. 22XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.5
  23. 23OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.2
  24. 24HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.2
  25. 25HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.2
  26. 26Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.2
  27. 27Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.2
  28. 28Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.2
  29. 29Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.2
  30. 30Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.1
  31. 31TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics3.0
  32. 32OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.9
  33. 33James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.8
  34. 34CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.6
  35. 35John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.5
  36. 36ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.4
  37. 37PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.4
  38. 38SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.3
  39. 39Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.3
  40. 40Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.3
  41. 41Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.3
  42. 42Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.3
  43. 43Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.3
  44. 44Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.3
  45. 45Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  46. 46Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.3
  47. 47HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.3
  48. 48HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.2
  49. 49Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  50. 50Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.2
  51. 51Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.2
  52. 52Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.2
  53. 53Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.2
  54. 54Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.2
  55. 55Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.2
  56. 56Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.2
  57. 57Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.2
  58. 58Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.2
  59. 59Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.2
  60. 60TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.2
  61. 61John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2.2
  62. 62EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.2
  63. 63BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.0
  64. 64William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists2.0
  65. 65PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.0
  66. 66Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians1.9
  67. 67HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century1.9
  68. 68Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century1.9
  69. 69William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.8
  70. 70WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.8
  71. 71WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.8
  72. 72WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.8
  73. 73William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.8
  74. 74WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.8
  75. 75WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.8
  76. 76John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.8
  77. 77John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.8
  78. 78HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  79. 79Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.8
  80. 80Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.7
  81. 81PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  82. 82Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.7
  83. 83EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  84. 84VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.7
  85. 85Sydney SmithSydney Smith1771–1845 · 19th century · Journalists1.6
  86. 86William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders1.6
  87. 87SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.6
  88. 88PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.6
  89. 89John FranklinJohn Franklin1786–1847 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.6
  90. 90AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  91. 91Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.5
  92. 92HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors1.5
  93. 93AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models1.5
  94. 94GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.5
  95. 95LucanLucan39–65 · 1st century · Writers1.4
  96. 96George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.4
  97. 97George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.4
  98. 98George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.4
  99. 99Horace WalpoleHorace Walpole1717–1797 · 18th century · Writers1.4
  100. 100Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell1599–1658 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.4

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1850s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · Writers17 decades
  2. 2Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades
  3. 3Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria1819–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  4. 4Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck1815–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  6. 6Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  7. 7Ada LovelaceAda Lovelace1815–1852 · Academics3 decades
  8. 8Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · Historical Figures17 decades
  9. 9Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades
  10. 10Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  11. 11Florence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale1820–1910 · Writers17 decades
  12. 12Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant1822–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  13. 13Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau1817–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  14. 14Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman1821–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  15. 15Charlotte BrontëCharlotte Brontë1816–1855 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers17 decades
  16. 16Gregor MendelGregor Mendel1822–1884 · Scientists12 decades
  17. 17Nikolay NekrasovNikolay Nekrasov1821–1877 · Writers13 decades
  18. 18Victor Emmanuel II of ItalyVictor Emmanuel II of Italy1820–1878 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures12 decades
  19. 19Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  20. 20Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  21. 21Jacques OffenbachJacques Offenbach1819–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  22. 22Gustave CourbetGustave Courbet1819–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  23. 23Herman MelvilleHerman Melville1819–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  24. 24Ivan AivazovskyIvan Aivazovsky1817–1900 · Artists2 decades
  25. 25John BoscoJohn Bosco1815–1888 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures16 decades
  26. 26Ivan TurgenevIvan Turgenev1818–1883 · Writers6 decades
  27. 27Theodor FontaneTheodor Fontane1819–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  28. 28Albert, Prince ConsortAlbert, Prince Consort1819–1861 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  29. 29Clara SchumannClara Schumann1819–1896 · Musicians18 decades
  30. 30Theodor MommsenTheodor Mommsen1817–1903 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics18 decades
  31. 31Bedřich SmetanaBedřich Smetana1824–1884 · Musicians0 decades
  32. 32George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  33. 33Ignaz SemmelweisIgnaz Semmelweis1818–1865 · Doctors6 decades
  34. 34Anton BrucknerAnton Bruckner1824–1896 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians14 decades
  35. 35Alexander OstrovskyAlexander Ostrovsky1823–1886 · Writers18 decades
  36. 36Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics17 decades
  37. 37Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  38. 38John RuskinJohn Ruskin1819–1900 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers18 decades
  39. 39Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass1818–1895 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  40. 40Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer1820–1903 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics17 decades
  41. 41Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · Writers16 decades
  42. 42Heinrich SchliemannHeinrich Schliemann1822–1890 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  43. 43Rudolf VirchowRudolf Virchow1821–1902 · Doctors16 decades
  44. 44William Thomson, 1st Baron KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin1824–1907 · Scientistsnot measured—
  45. 45Hermann von HelmholtzHermann von Helmholtz1821–1894 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  46. 46Charles GounodCharles Gounod1818–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians17 decades
  47. 47Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace1823–1913 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures15 decades
  48. 48Werner von SiemensWerner von Siemens1816–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  49. 49James Prescott JouleJames Prescott Joule1818–1889 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists3 decades
  50. 50Bahá'u'lláhBahá'u'lláh1817–1892 · Writers7 decades
  51. 51NadarNadar1820–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  52. 52Christian IX of DenmarkChristian IX of Denmark1818–1906 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures16 decades
  53. 53Theodor StormTheodor Storm1817–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  54. 54Abdulmejid IAbdulmejid I1823–1861 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Models0 decades
  55. 55Gustav KirchhoffGustav Kirchhoff1824–1887 · Scientists4 decades
  56. 56Otto of GreeceOtto of Greece1815–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  57. 57Susan B. AnthonySusan B. Anthony1820–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  58. 58William Tecumseh ShermanWilliam Tecumseh Sherman1820–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  59. 59Francis GaltonFrancis Galton1822–1911 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics17 decades
  60. 60Richard Francis BurtonRichard Francis Burton1821–1890 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2 decades
  61. 61Rosa BonheurRosa Bonheur1822–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists18 decades
  62. 62Karl WeierstrassKarl Weierstrass1815–1897 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades
  63. 63Arthur de GobineauArthur de Gobineau1816–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  64. 64César FranckCésar Franck1822–1890 · Musicians15 decades
  65. 65Jenny LindJenny Lind1820–1887 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians18 decades
  66. 66Carl ZeissCarl Zeiss1816–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  67. 67Stonewall JacksonStonewall Jackson1824–1863 · 🇺🇸 United States16 decades
  68. 68Jean-Léon GérômeJean-Léon Gérôme1824–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  69. 69William III of the NetherlandsWilliam III of the Netherlands1817–1890 · Historical Figures0 decades
  70. 70Jacob BurckhardtJacob Burckhardt1818–1897 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers17 decades
  71. 71Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians20 decades
  72. 72Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians10 decades
  73. 73Henri, Count of ChambordHenri, Count of Chambord1820–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  74. 74Wilkie CollinsWilkie Collins1824–1889 · Writers17 decades
  75. 75Francesco CrispiFrancesco Crispi1818–1901 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians18 decades
  76. 76John A. MacdonaldJohn A. Macdonald1815–1891 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Politicians16 decades
  77. 77Max MüllerMax Müller1823–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics5 decades
  78. 78Mary Todd LincolnMary Todd Lincoln1818–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States10 decades
  79. 79Pafnuty ChebyshevPafnuty Chebyshev1821–1894 · Academics4 decades
  80. 80Lola MontezLola Montez1821–1861 · Actors18 decades
  81. 81Elizabeth BlackwellElizabeth Blackwell1821–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Doctors17 decades
  82. 82Jean-Henri FabreJean-Henri Fabre1823–1915 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  83. 83BábBáb1819–1850 · Writers12 decades
  84. 84Rani of JhansiRani of Jhansi1828–1858 · 🇮🇳 India · Activists8 decades
  85. 85Gyula AndrássyGyula Andrássy1823–1890 · Politicians0 decades
  86. 86Maria II of PortugalMaria II of Portugal1819–1853 · 🇧🇷 Brazil0 decades
  87. 87Anthony TrollopeAnthony Trollope1815–1882 · Writers17 decades
  88. 88Phineas GagePhineas Gage1823–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States2 decades
  89. 89Francisco de Asís, Duke of CádizFrancisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz1822–1902 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures5 decades
  90. 90Maria AlexandrovnaMaria Alexandrovna1824–1880 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  91. 91MultatuliMultatuli1820–1887 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  92. 92Georg V of HanoverGeorg V of Hanover1819–1878 · Politicians15 decades
  93. 93Alexandre CabanelAlexandre Cabanel1823–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists6 decades
  94. 94Elizabeth Cady StantonElizabeth Cady Stanton1815–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  95. 95Dominic SavioDominic Savio1842–1857 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures11 decades
  96. 96Ferdinand II of PortugalFerdinand II of Portugal1816–1885 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures21 decades
  97. 97Mary Baker EddyMary Baker Eddy1821–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  98. 98George MeadeGeorge Meade1815–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  99. 99Nathan Bedford ForrestNathan Bedford Forrest1821–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States10 decades
  100. 100Gottfried KellerGottfried Keller1819–1890 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers18 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.