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 French books during the 1860s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish12,501German2,977French2,875Italian1,586Spanish946Russian176Hebrew81
  1. 1Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures35
  2. 2VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers34
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15
  4. 4Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures14
  5. 5Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures11
  6. 6François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures8.9
  7. 7MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7.2
  8. 8HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France5.9
  9. 9Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.9
  10. 10Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.8
  11. 11Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4.2
  12. 12Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3.9
  13. 13Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3.9
  14. 14Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures3.8
  15. 15Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.7
  16. 16Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.1
  17. 17Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures3.0
  18. 18Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.6
  19. 19Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians2.5
  20. 20Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France2.4
  21. 21Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.0
  22. 22Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  23. 23Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  24. 24Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  25. 25Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.8
  26. 26Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  27. 27Camille DesmoulinsCamille Desmoulins1760–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists1.4
  28. 28Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.4
  29. 29NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.3
  30. 30Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  31. 31Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  32. 32Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  33. 33Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.1
  34. 34Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  35. 35Firmin DidotFirmin Didot1764–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  36. 36Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France1.0
  37. 37Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.0
  38. 38Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.00
  39. 39Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.98
  40. 40Odilon BarrotOdilon Barrot1791–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.97
  41. 41Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.96
  42. 42Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday1768–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.93
  43. 43Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0.92
  44. 44Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.90
  45. 45André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.90
  46. 46Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.88
  47. 47George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.88
  48. 48Augustin ThierryAugustin Thierry1795–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.86
  49. 49Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.84
  50. 50Charles NodierCharles Nodier1780–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83
  51. 51Gustav III of SwedenGustav III of Sweden1746–1792 · 18th century · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0.81
  52. 52Horace VernetHorace Vernet1789–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.79
  53. 53Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de MaintenonFrançoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon1635–1719 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.76
  54. 54Louis, Count of VermandoisLouis, Count of Vermandois1667–1683 · 17th century0.75
  55. 55Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of PenthièvreLouis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre1725–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.75
  56. 56Louis de Bourbon, Bishop of LiègeLouis de Bourbon, Bishop of Liège1438–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.75
  57. 57Louis, Count of SoissonsLouis, Count of Soissons1604–1641 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.75
  58. 58Louis de Bourbon, Count of ClermontLouis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont1709–1771 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.75
  59. 59Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany1477–1514 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.75
  60. 60Diane de PoitiersDiane de Poitiers1499–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.73
  61. 61La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.70
  62. 62Antoine Quentin Fouquier-TinvilleAntoine Quentin Fouquier-Tinville1746–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.65
  63. 63NostradamusNostradamus1503–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.65
  64. 64Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.65
  65. 65Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
  66. 66StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  67. 67Louis RacineLouis Racine1692–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.61
  68. 68Pope Urban VPope Urban V1310–1370 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.59
  69. 69Margaret of ValoisMargaret of Valois1553–1615 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.59
  70. 70Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.56
  71. 71Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.54
  72. 72Jeanne d'AlbretJeanne d'Albret1528–1572 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.50
  73. 73Mary of BurgundyMary of Burgundy1457–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.50
  74. 74Jean GoujonJean Goujon1510–1567 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Architects0.50
  75. 75Bernard PalissyBernard Palissy1510–1589 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0.48
  76. 76Casimir DelavigneCasimir Delavigne1793–1843 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.48
  77. 77Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.48
  78. 78Joseph VernetJoseph Vernet1714–1789 · 18th century · Artists0.47
  79. 79Pierre CorneillePierre Corneille1606–1684 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.47
  80. 80Pierre LerouxPierre Leroux1797–1871 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.47
  81. 81Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.47
  82. 82Camille JordanCamille Jordan1838–1922 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.46
  83. 83Ambroise ParéAmbroise Paré1510–1590 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.45
  84. 84DrogoDrogo801–855 · 9th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.44
  85. 85Charles, Count of SoissonsCharles, Count of Soissons1566–1612 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.43
  86. 86Jean BartJean Bart1650–1702 · 17th century0.43
  87. 87Lucien BonaparteLucien Bonaparte1775–1840 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.42
  88. 88Vincent of BeauvaisVincent of Beauvais1190–1264 · 13th century · Educators0.42
  89. 89Octave FeuilletOctave Feuillet1821–1890 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.41
  90. 90Charles, Duke of OrléansCharles, Duke of Orléans1394–1465 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.40
  91. 91Robert EstienneRobert Estienne1503–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.39
  92. 92Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.39
  93. 93Pope Clement IVPope Clement IV1190–1268 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.39
  94. 94Godfrey of BouillonGodfrey of Bouillon1060–1100 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.39
  95. 95Napoleon IINapoleon II1811–1832 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Designers0.38
  96. 96Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.37
  97. 97Thomas CorneilleThomas Corneille1625–1709 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.36
  98. 98Paul DelarochePaul Delaroche1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.36
  99. 99HOHelladius of Auxerredied 387 · 4th century · Religious Figures0.36
  100. 100Olivier de SerresOlivier de Serres1539–1619 · 16th century · Writers0.36

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.