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 Hebrew books during the 1850s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish12,094German2,781French2,698Italian1,574Spanish890Russian146Hebrew78
  1. 1Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century28
  2. 2HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures15
  3. 3HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures15
  4. 4SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century13
  5. 5NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century11
  6. 6Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC6.3
  7. 7SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century6.2
  8. 8Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics4.5
  9. 9Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC4.1
  10. 10SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers3.1
  11. 11Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers2.7
  12. 12Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics1.5
  13. 13HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century1.5
  14. 14JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics1.3
  15. 15Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers1.1
  16. 16Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers1.0
  17. 17Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.99
  18. 18Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers0.96
  19. 19ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.95
  20. 20Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.93
  21. 21EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.82
  22. 22Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.82
  23. 23Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians0.81
  24. 24YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers0.78
  25. 25JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  26. 26MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.72
  27. 27Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.69
  28. 28EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.67
  29. 29JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers0.65
  30. 30Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics0.64
  31. 31Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures0.58
  32. 32Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.57
  33. 33Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.47
  34. 34Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.44
  35. 35Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.40
  36. 36Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.40
  37. 37Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century0.39
  38. 38Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.39
  39. 39Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.24
  40. 40Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.24
  41. 41MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.23
  42. 42Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.21
  43. 43PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.20
  44. 44Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century0.19
  45. 45IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.19
  46. 46MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.13
  47. 47Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics0.12
  48. 48JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.12
  49. 49Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.11
  50. 50Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.10
  51. 51Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.10
  52. 52RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.09
  53. 53Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.09
  54. 54IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.08
  55. 55BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.08
  56. 56Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.07
  57. 57JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.07
  58. 58Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.07
  59. 59OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.07
  60. 60Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century0.07
  61. 61Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.07
  62. 62Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.06
  63. 63Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.05
  64. 64IBIsaac ben Moses of Vienna1180–1250 · 13th century · Writers0.03
  65. 65Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.03
  66. 66BHBerechiah ha-Nakdan1200–1300 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.02
  67. 67Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures0.02
  68. 68JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.02
  69. 69Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.02
  70. 70Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.01
  71. 71IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.01
  72. 72Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.01
  73. 73SOShemariah of Negropont1275–1352 · 14th century · Academics0.01
  74. 74LBLevi ben Abraham ben Hayyimborn 1245 · 13th century · Writers0.01
  75. 75Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists<0.01
  76. 76NBNissim ben Jacob990–1062 · 11th century · Writers<0.01
  77. 77JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers<0.01
  78. 78Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures<0.01

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.