Claim profile
1860–1869

The 1860s

Whose names filled the books of the 1860s — 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 1860s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish12,501German2,977French2,875Italian1,586Spanish946Russian176Hebrew81
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures89
  2. 2AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians12
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics11
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers11
  5. 5CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians10
  6. 6AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.7
  7. 7HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers6.2
  8. 8VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers5.9
  9. 9SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics5.4
  10. 10Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians5.2
  11. 11Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures5.2
  12. 12Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures5.2
  13. 13PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics4.2
  14. 14CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures3.9
  15. 15Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians3.4
  16. 16Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.2
  17. 17Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  18. 18HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.0
  19. 19Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.0
  20. 20Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.0
  21. 21HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.0
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.0
  23. 23StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.8
  24. 24HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.7
  25. 25Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.7
  26. 26Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.7
  27. 27Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.7
  28. 28Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.7
  29. 29Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.7
  30. 30Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.7
  31. 31Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.7
  32. 32DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.7
  33. 33John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians2.7
  34. 34XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.6
  35. 35James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.6
  36. 36Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.6
  37. 37OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics2.6
  38. 38Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.6
  39. 39OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.5
  40. 40LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.5
  41. 41Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.5
  42. 42BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.4
  43. 43EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.3
  44. 44John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.3
  45. 45Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.3
  46. 46Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.3
  47. 47Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  48. 48Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.3
  49. 49Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  50. 50Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.3
  51. 51Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  52. 52Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.3
  53. 53HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.3
  54. 54Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.3
  55. 55Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  56. 56Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.3
  57. 57John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders2.3
  58. 58OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.2
  59. 59CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.2
  60. 60Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.1
  61. 61HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.1
  62. 62Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.1
  63. 63TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics2.1
  64. 64SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.1
  65. 65William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists2.1
  66. 66George GreyGeorge Grey1812–1898 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0
  67. 67PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.9
  68. 68TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.7
  69. 69William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.7
  70. 70WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.7
  71. 71WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.7
  72. 72WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.7
  73. 73WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.7
  74. 74William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.7
  75. 75WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.7
  76. 76ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  77. 77Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.7
  78. 78William H. SewardWilliam H. Seward1801–1872 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  79. 79John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.6
  80. 80HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.6
  81. 81Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  82. 82Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  83. 83George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.5
  84. 84George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.5
  85. 85George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.5
  86. 86Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  87. 87SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  88. 88PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.4
  89. 89VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.4
  90. 90EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  91. 91John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.4
  92. 92John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  93. 93PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  94. 94Philip II, Metropolitan of MoscowPhilip II, Metropolitan of Moscow1507–1569 · 16th century · Politicians1.3
  95. 95PIPhilip II, Marquis of Namur1195–1226 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
  96. 96Philip II, Count of NeversPhilip II, Count of Nevers1389–1415 · 15th century1.3
  97. 97Philip II, Landgrave of Hesse-RheinfelsPhilip II, Landgrave of Hesse-Rheinfels1541–1583 · 16th century1.3
  98. 98Philip IIPhilip II237–249 · 3rd century · Politicians1.3
  99. 99Philip II, Prince of TarantoPhilip II, Prince of Taranto1329–1373 · 14th century1.3

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1860s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · Writers18 decades
  2. 2Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  3. 3Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · Scientists11 decades
  4. 4James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield1831–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Alfred NobelAlfred Nobel1833–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists13 decades
  6. 6Johannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms1833–1897 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians17 decades
  7. 7Franz Joseph I of AustriaFranz Joseph I of Austria1830–1916 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures18 decades
  8. 8Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  9. 9Lewis CarrollLewis Carroll1832–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  10. 10Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  11. 11Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson1830–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  12. 12Édouard ManetÉdouard Manet1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists15 decades
  13. 13Isabella II of SpainIsabella II of Spain1830–1904 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Models11 decades
  14. 14Johann Strauss IIJohann Strauss II1825–1899 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians16 decades
  15. 15Henrik IbsenHenrik Ibsen1828–1906 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Writers14 decades
  16. 16Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur1829–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  17. 17Sitting BullSitting Bull1831–1890 · 🇺🇸 United States15 decades
  18. 18Edgar DegasEdgar Degas1834–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  19. 19Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians19 decades
  20. 20Henry DunantHenry Dunant1828–1910 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Founders13 decades
  21. 21James Clerk MaxwellJames Clerk Maxwell1831–1879 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists14 decades
  22. 22Maximilian I of MexicoMaximilian I of Mexico1832–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians19 decades
  23. 23Alexander BorodinAlexander Borodin1833–1887 · Musicians8 decades
  24. 24Frédéric MistralFrédéric Mistral1830–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  25. 25Mikhail Saltykov-ShchedrinMikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin1826–1889 · Writers10 decades
  26. 26GeronimoGeronimo1829–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actorsnot measured—
  27. 27Camille PissarroCamille Pissarro1830–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  28. 28Ernst HaeckelErnst Haeckel1834–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists16 decades
  29. 29Louise MichelLouise Michel1830–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  30. 30Carlo CollodiCarlo Collodi1826–1890 · Writers8 decades
  31. 31Nikolay ChernyshevskyNikolay Chernyshevsky1828–1889 · Writers11 decades
  32. 32Bernhard RiemannBernhard Riemann1826–1866 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12 decades
  33. 33Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott1832–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  34. 34Helena BlavatskyHelena Blavatsky1831–1891 · Writers2 decades
  35. 35Gustave DoréGustave Doré1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists17 decades
  36. 36Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison1833–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  37. 37Wilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch1832–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists15 decades
  38. 38William MorrisWilliam Morris1834–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists19 decades
  39. 39Ivan ShishkinIvan Shishkin1831–1898 · Artists9 decades
  40. 40Gottlieb DaimlerGottlieb Daimler1834–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  41. 41Pedro II of BrazilPedro II of Brazil1825–1891 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Historical Figures0 decades
  42. 42Nikolai LeskovNikolai Leskov1831–1895 · Writers13 decades
  43. 43Levi StraussLevi Strauss1829–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders11 decades
  44. 44George BooleGeorge Boole1855–1864 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics9 decades
  45. 45John Wilkes BoothJohn Wilkes Booth1838–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors16 decades
  46. 46Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt1832–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  47. 47Thomas Henry HuxleyThomas Henry Huxley1825–1895 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists16 decades
  48. 48Johanna SpyriJohanna Spyri1827–1901 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers11 decades
  49. 49Eugénie de MontijoEugénie de Montijo1826–1920 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures17 decades
  50. 50Hippolyte TaineHippolyte Taine1828–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  51. 51Ferdinand LassalleFerdinand Lassalle1825–1864 · Writers16 decades
  52. 52Jean-Martin CharcotJean-Martin Charcot1825–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors4 decades
  53. 53Dante Gabriel RossettiDante Gabriel Rossetti1828–1882 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers15 decades
  54. 54AbdülazizAbdülaziz1830–1876 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Frédéric Auguste BartholdiFrédéric Auguste Bartholdi1834–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  56. 56Oscar II of SwedenOscar II of Sweden1829–1907 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  57. 57Anton RubinsteinAnton Rubinstein1829–1894 · Musicians15 decades
  58. 58William-Adolphe BouguereauWilliam-Adolphe Bouguereau1825–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  59. 59Charles XV of SwedenCharles XV of Sweden1826–1872 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  60. 60James Abbott McNeill WhistlerJames Abbott McNeill Whistler1834–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  61. 61Paul KrugerPaul Kruger1825–1904 · Politicians14 decades
  62. 62Arnold BöcklinArnold Böcklin1827–1901 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists14 decades
  63. 63Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians16 decades
  64. 64Joseph ListerJoseph Lister1827–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Doctors18 decades
  65. 65Gustave MoreauGustave Moreau1826–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  66. 66Eadweard MuybridgeEadweard Muybridge1830–1904 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists7 decades
  67. 67John Everett MillaisJohn Everett Millais1829–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  68. 68John Stith PembertonJohn Stith Pemberton1831–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  69. 69Wilhelm DiltheyWilhelm Dilthey1833–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  70. 70Leo von CapriviLeo von Caprivi1831–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  71. 71Ellen G. WhiteEllen G. White1827–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  72. 72Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of SalisburyRobert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury1830–1903 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Francisco Solano LópezFrancisco Solano López1826–1870 · Politicians18 decades
  74. 74Saigō TakamoriSaigō Takamori1828–1877 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  75. 75Naser al-Din Shah QajarNaser al-Din Shah Qajar1831–1896 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  76. 76Charles SpurgeonCharles Spurgeon1834–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  77. 77Isma'il PashaIsma'il Pasha1831–1895 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians15 decades
  78. 78Archduke Karl Ludwig of AustriaArchduke Karl Ludwig of Austria1833–1896 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians16 decades
  79. 79Xianfeng EmperorXianfeng Emperor1831–1861 · Historical Figures0 decades
  80. 80Charbel MakhloufCharbel Makhlouf1828–1898 · Religious Figures0 decades
  81. 81Charles George GordonCharles George Gordon1833–1885 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists5 decades
  82. 82Emperor KōmeiEmperor Kōmei1831–1867 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Models0 decades
  83. 83Philip SheridanPhilip Sheridan1831–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians13 decades
  84. 84George Brinton McClellanGeorge Brinton McClellan1826–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  85. 85Christina RossettiChristina Rossetti1830–1894 · Writers16 decades
  86. 86Sakamoto RyōmaSakamoto Ryōma1836–1867 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  87. 87Pedro V of PortugalPedro V of Portugal1837–1861 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Politicians0 decades
  88. 88Lew WallaceLew Wallace1827–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  89. 89Nikolaus OttoNikolaus Otto1832–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  90. 90Alfred von SchlieffenAlfred von Schlieffen1833–19130 decades
  91. 91John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron ActonJohn Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton1834–1902 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Élisée ReclusÉlisée Reclus1830–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  93. 93August KekuléAugust Kekulé1829–1896 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists4 decades
  94. 94Dadabhai NaorojiDadabhai Naoroji1825–1917 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians16 decades
  95. 95Frederic Edwin ChurchFrederic Edwin Church1826–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  96. 96William Holman HuntWilliam Holman Hunt1827–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists5 decades
  97. 97Edward Burne-JonesEdward Burne-Jones1833–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  98. 98Lucretia GarfieldLucretia Garfield1832–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States0 decades
  99. 99Stephen FosterStephen Foster1826–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians18 decades
  100. 100Savitribai PhuleSavitribai Phule1831–1897 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 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.