Claim profile
1870–1879

The 1870s

Whose names filled the books of the 1870s — 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 1870s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish14,075German3,121French2,919Italian1,652Spanish982Russian180Hebrew93Chinese2
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures72
  2. 2AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians12
  3. 3HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers11
  4. 4PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics11
  5. 5CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians9.7
  6. 6AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.7
  7. 7SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.6
  8. 8VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers6.5
  9. 9HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers5.0
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures4.7
  11. 11Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians4.7
  12. 12Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures4.7
  13. 13PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics3.5
  14. 14CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures3.3
  15. 15Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.2
  16. 16OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.9
  17. 17LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.8
  18. 18HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.7
  19. 19Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians2.7
  20. 20Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.7
  21. 21HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century2.7
  22. 22Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.7
  23. 23Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century2.7
  24. 24StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.7
  25. 25DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.5
  26. 26OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics2.5
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.4
  28. 28XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.3
  29. 29John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.2
  30. 30TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics2.2
  31. 31BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.2
  32. 32EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.2
  33. 33James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.2
  34. 34Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians2.2
  35. 35William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists2.2
  36. 36Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.1
  37. 37Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.1
  38. 38Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.1
  39. 39HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.1
  40. 40Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  41. 41Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.1
  42. 42Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.1
  43. 43Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.1
  44. 44Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.1
  45. 45Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.0
  46. 46PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.0
  47. 47HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.0
  48. 48Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.0
  49. 49Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.0
  50. 50TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.0
  51. 51Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.0
  52. 52Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.0
  53. 53Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.0
  54. 54Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.0
  55. 55Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.0
  56. 56Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.0
  57. 57Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.0
  58. 58Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.0
  59. 59Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.0
  60. 60HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.0
  61. 61Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.0
  62. 62Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  63. 63OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.9
  64. 64EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.8
  65. 65HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  66. 66SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  67. 67SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  68. 68ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  69. 69RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.6
  70. 70John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians1.6
  71. 71Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.6
  72. 72John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.5
  73. 73Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.5
  74. 74AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  75. 75WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.5
  76. 76WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.5
  77. 77William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.5
  78. 78William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.5
  79. 79WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.5
  80. 80WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.5
  81. 81WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.5
  82. 82PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.4
  83. 83Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.4
  84. 84WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists1.4
  85. 85John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  86. 86Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.4
  87. 87PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  88. 88ColumbaColumba521–597 · 6th century1.4
  89. 89LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.4
  90. 90Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.4
  91. 91AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models1.3
  92. 92VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.3
  93. 93George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.3
  94. 94George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.3
  95. 95George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.3
  96. 96DiocletianDiocletian240–316 · 3rd century · Politicians1.3
  97. 97John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.3
  98. 98Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer1820–1903 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.2
  99. 99HoseaHoseaborn 784 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures1.2
  100. 100Charles DickensCharles Dickens1812–1870 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.2

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1870s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche1844–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  2. 2Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky1840–1893 · Musicians10 decades
  3. 3Émile ZolaÉmile Zola1840–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  4. 4Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors15 decades
  5. 5Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  6. 6Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  7. 7Paul CézannePaul Cézanne1839–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  8. 8Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures13 decades
  9. 9Pope Pius XPope Pius X1835–1914 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures12 decades
  10. 10William McKinleyWilliam McKinley1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  11. 11Empress Dowager CixiEmpress Dowager Cixi1835–1908 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures5 decades
  12. 12Antonín DvořákAntonín Dvořák1841–1904 · Musicians0 decades
  13. 13Bertha von SuttnerBertha von Suttner1843–1914 · Writers13 decades
  14. 14John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller1839–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders14 decades
  15. 15Pierre-Auguste RenoirPierre-Auguste Renoir1841–1919 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  16. 16Georges ClemenceauGeorges Clemenceau1841–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  17. 17Paul VerlainePaul Verlaine1844–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  18. 18Leopold II of BelgiumLeopold II of Belgium1835–1909 · Historical Figures9 decades
  19. 19Empress Elisabeth of AustriaEmpress Elisabeth of Austria1837–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  20. 20Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers17 decades
  21. 21Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland1837–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  22. 22Robert KochRobert Koch1843–1910 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors14 decades
  23. 23Auguste RodinAuguste Rodin1840–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  24. 24Peter KropotkinPeter Kropotkin1842–1921 · Activists11 decades
  25. 25Ilya RepinIlya Repin1844–1930 · Artists10 decades
  26. 26Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  27. 27Nikolai Rimsky-KorsakovNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov1844–1908 · Musicians9 decades
  28. 28Karl BenzKarl Benz1844–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  29. 29Edvard GriegEdvard Grieg1843–1907 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Musicians12 decades
  30. 30Modest MussorgskyModest Mussorgsky1839–1881 · Musicians11 decades
  31. 31Georges BizetGeorges Bizet1838–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  32. 32Umberto I of ItalyUmberto I of Italy1844–1900 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures14 decades
  33. 33Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie1835–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  34. 34Gustavo Adolfo BécquerGustavo Adolfo Bécquer1836–1870 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers13 decades
  35. 35Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  36. 36Camille Saint-SaënsCamille Saint-Saëns1835–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  37. 37J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  38. 38Abdul Hamid IIAbdul Hamid II1842–1918 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures13 decades
  39. 39Benito Pérez GaldósBenito Pérez Galdós1843–1920 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  40. 40Karl MayKarl May1842–1912 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  41. 41Bernadette SoubirousBernadette Soubirous1844–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures15 decades
  42. 42Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  43. 43William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics18 decades
  44. 44Stéphane MallarméStéphane Mallarmé1842–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  45. 45Berthe MorisotBerthe Morisot1841–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  46. 46Henri RousseauHenri Rousseau1844–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  47. 47Thomas HardyThomas Hardy1840–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers18 decades
  48. 48Ludwig BoltzmannLudwig Boltzmann1844–1906 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists15 decades
  49. 49Gustave Le BonGustave Le Bon1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  50. 50August BebelAugust Bebel1840–1913 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  51. 51Ernst MachErnst Mach1838–1916 · Scientists16 decades
  52. 52Sadi CarnotSadi Carnot1837–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians16 decades
  53. 53George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer1839–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures7 decades
  54. 54Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  55. 55Mary CassattMary Cassatt1844–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  56. 56Henry Morton StanleyHenry Morton Stanley1841–1904 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Journalists7 decades
  57. 57Alois HitlerAlois Hitler1837–1903 · 🇦🇹 Austria8 decades
  58. 58Alexandra of DenmarkAlexandra of Denmark1844–1925 · Historical Figures2 decades
  59. 59RamakrishnaRamakrishna1836–1886 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics14 decades
  60. 60Rosalía de CastroRosalía de Castro1837–1885 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers13 decades
  61. 61Giovanni VergaGiovanni Verga1840–1922 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers15 decades
  62. 62Alfred SisleyAlfred Sisley1839–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists9 decades
  63. 63Victoria, Princess RoyalVictoria, Princess Royal1840–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists0 decades
  64. 64Cesare LombrosoCesare Lombroso1835–1909 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Doctors16 decades
  65. 65Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce1842–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  66. 66Nikolay PrzhevalskyNikolay Przhevalsky1839–1888 · Historical Figures9 decades
  67. 67Leopold von Sacher-MasochLeopold von Sacher-Masoch1836–1895 · Writers5 decades
  68. 68Charles Sanders PeirceCharles Sanders Peirce1839–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics9 decades
  69. 69Léon GambettaLéon Gambetta1838–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  70. 70Crazy HorseCrazy Horse1849–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  71. 71Mehmed VMehmed V1844–1918 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0 decades
  72. 72Arkhip KuindzhiArkhip Kuindzhi1841–1910 · Artists2 decades
  73. 73Giovanni GiolittiGiovanni Giolitti1842–1928 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians14 decades
  74. 74Vasily VereshchaginVasily Vereshchagin1842–1904 · Artists8 decades
  75. 75Mily BalakirevMily Balakirev1836–1910 · Musicians9 decades
  76. 76Armand FallièresArmand Fallières1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  77. 77John MuirJohn Muir1838–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  78. 78Jules MassenetJules Massenet1842–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  79. 79Ivan KramskoiIvan Kramskoi1837–1887 · Artists11 decades
  80. 80Wilhelm SteinitzWilhelm Steinitz1836–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes0 decades
  81. 81Odilon RedonOdilon Redon1840–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  82. 82LiliʻuokalaniLiliʻuokalani1838–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  83. 83Émile LoubetÉmile Loubet1838–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  84. 84Ferdinand von ZeppelinFerdinand von Zeppelin1838–1917 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists5 decades
  85. 85Murad VMurad V1840–1904 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Models0 decades
  86. 86Tongzhi EmperorTongzhi Emperor1856–1875 · 🇨🇳 Chinanot measured—
  87. 87Carol I of RomaniaCarol I of Romania1839–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures19 decades
  88. 88Frederick VIII of DenmarkFrederick VIII of Denmark1843–1912 · Historical Figures0 decades
  89. 89Carlota of MexicoCarlota of Mexico1840–1927 · Historical Figures0 decades
  90. 90Princess Alice of the United KingdomPrincess Alice of the United Kingdom1843–1878 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  91. 91Menelik IIMenelik II1844–1913 · Politicians14 decades
  92. 92Léo DelibesLéo Delibes1836–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  93. 93Paul MorphyPaul Morphy1837–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States7 decades
  94. 94Itō HirobumiItō Hirobumi1841–1909 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  95. 95Comte de LautréamontComte de Lautréamont1846–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  96. 96Paul LafarguePaul Lafargue1842–1911 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  97. 97Louis RielLouis Riel1844–1885 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Politicians15 decades
  98. 98Machado de AssisMachado de Assis1839–1908 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Writers0 decades
  99. 99Max BruchMax Bruch1838–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians17 decades
  100. 100Mirza Ghulam AhmadMirza Ghulam Ahmad1835–1908 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics4 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.