Claim profile
1880–1889

The 1880s

Whose names filled the books of the 1880s — 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 1880s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish15,200German3,276French3,096Italian1,682Spanish1,073Russian203Hebrew89Chinese2
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures59
  2. 2AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians10
  3. 3HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers10
  4. 4PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.5
  5. 5CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8.3
  6. 6AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.9
  7. 7VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers5.7
  8. 8SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics4.9
  9. 9Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures4.4
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures4.4
  11. 11Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians4.4
  12. 12HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers4.0
  13. 13PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics3.1
  14. 14CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures3.0
  15. 15Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.8
  16. 16OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  17. 17Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century2.5
  18. 18HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century2.5
  19. 19HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.5
  20. 20Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.5
  21. 21Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.5
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians2.5
  23. 23DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.3
  24. 24George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.3
  25. 25CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.3
  26. 26EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.2
  27. 27William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists2.2
  28. 28OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics2.2
  29. 29LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.1
  30. 30BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.1
  31. 31XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.0
  32. 32James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.0
  33. 33Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.9
  34. 34Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century1.9
  35. 35HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century1.9
  36. 36Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians1.9
  37. 37John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures1.9
  38. 38John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians1.9
  39. 39StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.9
  40. 40Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models1.9
  41. 41Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century1.9
  42. 42Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians1.9
  43. 43HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.9
  44. 44Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians1.9
  45. 45Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century1.9
  46. 46Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century1.9
  47. 47Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.9
  48. 48PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.9
  49. 49Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.8
  50. 50TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.8
  51. 51TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics1.8
  52. 52Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France1.8
  53. 53John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.8
  54. 54Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century1.8
  55. 55Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century1.8
  56. 56Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century1.8
  57. 57Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  58. 58HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century1.8
  59. 59Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century1.8
  60. 60Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models1.8
  61. 61Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century1.8
  62. 62Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.8
  63. 63Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  64. 64Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.8
  65. 65Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.8
  66. 66HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  67. 67Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer1820–1903 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.7
  68. 68John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  69. 69John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.7
  70. 70SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  71. 71WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists1.7
  72. 72EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.7
  73. 73SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.6
  74. 74ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  75. 75George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  76. 76Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.5
  77. 77Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.4
  78. 78OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.4
  79. 79Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.4
  80. 80PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  81. 81William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.4
  82. 82WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.4
  83. 83WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.4
  84. 84William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.4
  85. 85WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.4
  86. 86WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.4
  87. 87WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.4
  88. 88Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.3
  89. 89Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  90. 90Matthew ArnoldMatthew Arnold1822–1888 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.3
  91. 91AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.3
  92. 92Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.3
  93. 93RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.2
  94. 94George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.2
  95. 95George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.2
  96. 96George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.2
  97. 97Black HawkBlack Hawk1767–1838 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States1.2
  98. 98LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  99. 99PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.2
  100. 100Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.2

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1880s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh1853–1890 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists12 decades
  2. 2Oscar WildeOscar Wilde1854–1900 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  3. 3Thomas EdisonThomas Edison1847–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  4. 4Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant1850–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  5. 5Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  6. 6Antoni GaudíAntoni Gaudí1852–1926 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects5 decades
  7. 7Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson1850–1894 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers15 decades
  8. 8Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg1847–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  9. 9Paul GauguinPaul Gauguin1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  10. 10Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · Historical Figures16 decades
  11. 11Pope Benedict XVPope Benedict XV1854–1922 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures11 decades
  12. 12Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · Scientists16 decades
  13. 13Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell1847–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists15 decades
  14. 14José MartíJosé Martí1853–1895 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers16 decades
  15. 15Wilhelm RöntgenWilhelm Röntgen1845–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  16. 16Santiago Ramón y CajalSantiago Ramón y Cajal1852–1934 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists13 decades
  17. 17Ludwig II of BavariaLudwig II of Bavaria1845–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures18 decades
  18. 18Henri PoincaréHenri Poincaré1854–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  19. 19Sofia KovalevskayaSofia Kovalevskaya1850–1891 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics14 decades
  20. 20Bram StokerBram Stoker1847–1912 · Writers12 decades
  21. 21Octave MirbeauOctave Mirbeau1848–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  22. 22Ferdinand FochFerdinand Foch1851–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7 decades
  23. 23Billy the KidBilly the Kid1859–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States12 decades
  24. 24Alfonso XII of SpainAlfonso XII of Spain1857–1885 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  25. 25Cecil RhodesCecil Rhodes1853–1902 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians12 decades
  26. 26August StrindbergAugust Strindberg1849–1912 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers8 decades
  27. 27Henri BecquerelHenri Becquerel1852–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  28. 28Emperor MeijiEmperor Meiji1852–1912 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures11 decades
  29. 29Georg CantorGeorg Cantor1845–1918 · Academics14 decades
  30. 30Viktor VasnetsovViktor Vasnetsov1848–1926 · Artists10 decades
  31. 31Abay KunanbaiulyAbay Kunanbaiuly1845–1904 · Writers8 decades
  32. 32Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · Historical Figures17 decades
  33. 33Paul EhrlichPaul Ehrlich1854–1915 · Doctors13 decades
  34. 34Henryk SienkiewiczHenryk Sienkiewicz1846–1916 · Writers11 decades
  35. 35Gottlob FregeGottlob Frege1848–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades
  36. 36Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · Academics14 decades
  37. 37Sergei WitteSergei Witte1849–1915 · Politicians9 decades
  38. 38Vilfredo ParetoVilfredo Pareto1848–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  39. 39Hendrik LorentzHendrik Lorentz1853–1928 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Scientists0 decades
  40. 40Gabriel FauréGabriel Fauré1845–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  41. 41Otto LilienthalOtto Lilienthal1848–1896 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  42. 42Pierre LotiPierre Loti1850–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  43. 43Tomáš Garrigue MasarykTomáš Garrigue Masaryk1850–1937 · Politicians1 decades
  44. 44Jesse JamesJesse James1847–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States14 decades
  45. 45Rudolf, Crown Prince of AustriaRudolf, Crown Prince of Austria1858–1889 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  46. 46Peter Carl FabergéPeter Carl Fabergé1846–1920 · Scientists3 decades
  47. 47George I of GreeceGeorge I of Greece1845–1913 · Historical Figures0 decades
  48. 48Joseph JoffreJoseph Joffre1852–1931 · 🇫🇷 France2 decades
  49. 49Arthur BalfourArthur Balfour1848–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians15 decades
  50. 50Aleksei BrusilovAleksei Brusilov1853–1926 · Writers3 decades
  51. 51Amadeo I of SpainAmadeo I of Spain1845–1890 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  52. 52Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer1847–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  53. 53Max LiebermannMax Liebermann1847–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists13 decades
  54. 54Buffalo BillBuffalo Bill1846–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  55. 55Joris-Karl HuysmansJoris-Karl Huysmans1848–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  56. 56H. H. AsquithH. H. Asquith1852–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  57. 57Vasily SurikovVasily Surikov1848–1916 · Artists8 decades
  58. 58ChulalongkornChulalongkorn1853–1910 · Historical Figures13 decades
  59. 59Edward SmithEdward Smith1850–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  60. 60Karl KautskyKarl Kautsky1854–1938 · Politicians13 decades
  61. 61Annie BesantAnnie Besant1847–1933 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers15 decades
  62. 62Leoš JanáčekLeoš Janáček1854–1928 · Musicians0 decades
  63. 63Gustave CaillebotteGustave Caillebotte1848–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  64. 64Frances Hodgson BurnettFrances Hodgson Burnett1849–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  65. 65Bernhard von BülowBernhard von Bülow1849–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  66. 66Eduard BernsteinEduard Bernstein1850–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians13 decades
  67. 67Nicholas Miklouho-MaclayNicholas Miklouho-Maclay1846–1888 · Historical Figures5 decades
  68. 68August von MackensenAugust von Mackensen1849–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2 decades
  69. 69Mihai EminescuMihai Eminescu1850–1889 · Writers5 decades
  70. 70Auguste EscoffierAuguste Escoffier1846–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Chefs4 decades
  71. 71Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl KitchenerHerbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener1850–1916 · Politicians0 decades
  72. 72Élie MetchnikoffÉlie Metchnikoff1845–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  73. 73Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp1848–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  74. 74Ludwig III of BavariaLudwig III of Bavaria1845–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  75. 75Helmuth von Moltke the YoungerHelmuth von Moltke the Younger1848–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  76. 76Felix KleinFelix Klein1849–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  77. 77Victoriano HuertaVictoriano Huerta1850–1916 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians13 decades
  78. 78Alexander UlyanovAlexander Ulyanov1866–1887 · Activists11 decades
  79. 79Georges SorelGeorges Sorel1847–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  80. 80Olga Constantinovna of RussiaOlga Constantinovna of Russia1851–1926 · Historical Figures16 decades
  81. 81Luigi CadornaLuigi Cadorna1850–1928 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  82. 82Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell1852–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  83. 83Édouard-Henri AvrilÉdouard-Henri Avril1849–1928 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  84. 84Margaret of SavoyMargaret of Savoy1851–1926 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists17 decades
  85. 85Ned KellyNed Kelly1854–1880 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Writers11 decades
  86. 86Otto of BavariaOtto of Bavaria1848–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  87. 87Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of MeccaHussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca1853–1931 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  88. 88George WestinghouseGeorge Westinghouse1846–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists15 decades
  89. 89Bertha BenzBertha Benz1849–1944 · Athletes0 decades
  90. 90Carl LarssonCarl Larsson1853–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  91. 91John William WaterhouseJohn William Waterhouse1849–1917 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0 decades
  92. 92Raja Ravi VarmaRaja Ravi Varma1848–1906 · 🇮🇳 India · Artists0 decades
  93. 93James George FrazerJames George Frazer1854–1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics8 decades
  94. 94Calamity JaneCalamity Jane1852–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States11 decades
  95. 95Tōgō HeihachirōTōgō Heihachirō1848–1934 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0 decades
  96. 96Franz Conrad von HötzendorfFranz Conrad von Hötzendorf1852–1925 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures5 decades
  97. 97Lafcadio HearnLafcadio Hearn1850–1904 · Writers14 decades
  98. 98Muhammad AbduhMuhammad Abduh1849–1905 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Academics5 decades
  99. 99Oliver HeavisideOliver Heaviside1850–1925 · Scientists10 decades
  100. 100Isabel, Princess Imperial of BrazilIsabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil1846–1921 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Historical Figuresnot measured—

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.