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 Russian books during the 1850s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish12,094German2,781French2,698Italian1,574Spanish890Russian146Hebrew78
  1. 1Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures9.0
  2. 2Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers4.9
  3. 3Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century1.6
  4. 4Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.4
  5. 5Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century1.3
  6. 6Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  7. 7Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.2
  8. 8Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.98
  9. 9Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.90
  10. 10Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.88
  11. 11Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians0.72
  12. 12Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.70
  13. 13Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.63
  14. 14Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.63
  15. 15Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.59
  16. 16Dimitry of RostovDimitry of Rostov1651–1709 · 17th century · Writers0.48
  17. 17Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.42
  18. 18Vasily Vasilyevich GolitsynVasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn1643–1714 · 17th century · Politicians0.41
  19. 19Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.41
  20. 20Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.41
  21. 21Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.39
  22. 22Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.37
  23. 23Ivan MazepaIvan Mazepa1639–1709 · 17th century · Politicians0.35
  24. 24Stefan YavorskyStefan Yavorsky1658–1722 · 17th century · Academics0.34
  25. 25Mykhailo MaksymovychMykhailo Maksymovych1804–1873 · 19th century · Writers0.30
  26. 26Kirill RazumovskyKirill Razumovsky1728–1803 · 18th century · Politicians0.26
  27. 27Nikolay DobrolyubovNikolay Dobrolyubov1836–1861 · 19th century · Academics0.25
  28. 28Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.22
  29. 29Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.21
  30. 30Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.20
  31. 31Dmitry PozharskyDmitry Pozharsky1577–1642 · 17th century · Politicians0.20
  32. 32Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.19
  33. 33Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.18
  34. 34Sergey AksakovSergey Aksakov1791–1859 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  35. 35Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.16
  36. 36Grigory PotemkinGrigory Potemkin1739–1791 · 18th century · Politicians0.14
  37. 37Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.14
  38. 38Paul of KolomnaPaul of Kolomna1600–1656 · 17th century · Writers0.14
  39. 39Oleg I of ChernigovOleg I of Chernigov1052–1115 · 11th century · Historical Figures0.13
  40. 40Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.13
  41. 41Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.12
  42. 42Aleksey PisemskyAleksey Pisemsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.12
  43. 43Ivan Ivanovich ShuvalovIvan Ivanovich Shuvalov1727–1797 · 18th century · Writers0.11
  44. 44Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.11
  45. 45Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers0.11
  46. 46Konstantin of RostovKonstantin of Rostov1185–1218 · 13th century · Politicians0.11
  47. 47Nikita PaninNikita Panin1718–1783 · 18th century · Politicians0.11
  48. 48Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.10
  49. 49Boris SheremetevBoris Sheremetev1652–1719 · 17th century · Politicians0.10
  50. 50VMVsevolod Mstislavich of Volhynia1150–1195 · 12th century0.09
  51. 51Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.09
  52. 52Mikhail LazarevMikhail Lazarev1788–1851 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.09
  53. 53Mikhail VorontsovMikhail Vorontsov1782–1856 · 19th century · Politicians0.08
  54. 54Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.08
  55. 55Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.08
  56. 56Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.08
  57. 57Alexander MenshikovAlexander Menshikov1673–1729 · 18th century · Politicians0.07
  58. 58Alexander RadishchevAlexander Radishchev1749–1802 · 18th century · Writers0.07
  59. 59Catherine I of RussiaCatherine I of Russia1684–1727 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.07
  60. 60Nikolay KaramzinNikolay Karamzin1766–1826 · 19th century · Writers0.06
  61. 61Faddey BulgarinFaddey Bulgarin1789–1859 · 19th century · Writers0.06
  62. 62Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.06
  63. 63Kuzma MininKuzma Minindied 1616 · 17th century · Politicians0.06
  64. 64Ivan GoncharovIvan Goncharov1812–1891 · 19th century · Writers0.06
  65. 65Basil Fool for ChristBasil Fool for Christ1468–1552 · 16th century0.06
  66. 66Pyotr Andreyevich TolstoyPyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy1645–1729 · 17th century · Writers0.06
  67. 67Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.05
  68. 68Konstantin AksakovKonstantin Aksakov1817–1860 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  69. 69Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.05
  70. 70Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.05
  71. 71Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · 19th century · Writers0.05
  72. 72Aleksei Fedorovich AdashevAleksei Fedorovich Adashev1510–1561 · 16th century · Politicians0.05
  73. 73Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.04
  74. 74Alexander Sergeyevich MenshikovAlexander Sergeyevich Menshikov1787–1869 · 19th century · Politicians0.04
  75. 75Alexander OstrovskyAlexander Ostrovsky1823–1886 · 19th century · Writers0.04
  76. 76Dmitry GrigorovichDmitry Grigorovich1822–1899 · 19th century · Writers0.04
  77. 77Mikhail BakuninMikhail Bakunin1814–1876 · 19th century · Activists0.04
  78. 78Peter Ivanovich ShuvalovPeter Ivanovich Shuvalov1711–1762 · 18th century · Politicians0.04
  79. 79Mikhail SperanskyMikhail Speransky1772–1839 · 19th century · Politicians0.03
  80. 80Ivan DmitrievIvan Dmitriev1760–1837 · 18th century · Writers0.03
  81. 81Stepan RumovskyStepan Rumovsky1734–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.03
  82. 82Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.03
  83. 83Theophanes the GreekTheophanes the Greek1335–1410 · 14th century · Artists0.03
  84. 84Peter ShafirovPeter Shafirov1669–1739 · 18th century · Writers0.03
  85. 85Pavel NakhimovPavel Nakhimov1802–1855 · 19th century0.03
  86. 86Lavrentii ZyzaniiLavrentii Zyzanii1550–1634 · 16th century · Educators0.03
  87. 87Alexander ShishkovAlexander Shishkov1754–1841 · 18th century · Writers0.03
  88. 88Alexander SumarokovAlexander Sumarokov1717–1777 · 18th century · Writers0.03
  89. 89Konstantin LeontievKonstantin Leontiev1831–1891 · 19th century · Academics0.03
  90. 90Otto Wilhelm von StruveOtto Wilhelm von Struve1819–1905 · 19th century · Scientists0.03
  91. 91Artamon MatveyevArtamon Matveyev1625–1682 · 17th century · Politicians0.03
  92. 92Pyotr PaninPyotr Panin1721–1789 · 18th century0.02
  93. 93Dmitry ShuiskyDmitry Shuisky1560–1612 · 16th century0.02
  94. 94Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.02
  95. 95Alexander HerzenAlexander Herzen1812–1870 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers0.02
  96. 96Antiochus KantemirAntiochus Kantemir1708–1744 · 18th century · Academics0.02
  97. 97Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.02
  98. 98Mikhail of TverMikhail of Tver1271–1318 · 14th century · Politicians0.02
  99. 99Jacob BruceJacob Bruce1669–1735 · 18th century · Scientists0.02
  100. 100Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.02

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.