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 French books during the 1880s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish15,200German3,276French3,096Italian1,682Spanish1,073Russian203Hebrew89Chinese2
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers32
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures31
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers29
  4. 4Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures13
  5. 5Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures11
  6. 6Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9.7
  7. 7François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures6.6
  8. 8MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6.0
  9. 9HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France5.4
  10. 10Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.4
  11. 11Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4.5
  12. 12Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.8
  13. 13Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3.8
  14. 14Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.8
  15. 15Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France3.6
  16. 16Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.0
  17. 17Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3.0
  18. 18Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.8
  19. 19Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  20. 20Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.4
  21. 21Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.3
  22. 22Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.3
  23. 23Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.3
  24. 24Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.2
  25. 25Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.0
  26. 26Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  27. 27Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  28. 28George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.8
  29. 29Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  30. 30Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  31. 31Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.8
  32. 32Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  33. 33Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  34. 34Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.7
  35. 35Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  36. 36La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors1.4
  37. 37Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France1.3
  38. 38André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  39. 39Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  40. 40Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.1
  41. 41NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.99
  42. 42Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.98
  43. 43Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.97
  44. 44Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.97
  45. 45StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.93
  46. 46Jules GrévyJules Grévy1807–1891 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.92
  47. 47Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.92
  48. 48Jeanne d'AlbretJeanne d'Albret1528–1572 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.91
  49. 49Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0.91
  50. 50Odilon BarrotOdilon Barrot1791–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.89
  51. 51Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.89
  52. 52Camille DesmoulinsCamille Desmoulins1760–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0.87
  53. 53Augustin ThierryAugustin Thierry1795–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83
  54. 54Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany1477–1514 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.82
  55. 55Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.79
  56. 56Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.79
  57. 57Margaret of ValoisMargaret of Valois1553–1615 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.79
  58. 58Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.76
  59. 59Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.75
  60. 60Frédéric PassyFrédéric Passy1822–1912 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.74
  61. 61Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.73
  62. 62Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.73
  63. 63Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.73
  64. 64Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of PenthièvreLouis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre1725–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.73
  65. 65Louis, Count of SoissonsLouis, Count of Soissons1604–1641 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.73
  66. 66Louis, Count of VermandoisLouis, Count of Vermandois1667–1683 · 17th century0.73
  67. 67Louis de Bourbon, Bishop of LiègeLouis de Bourbon, Bishop of Liège1438–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.73
  68. 68Louis de Bourbon, Count of ClermontLouis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont1709–1771 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.73
  69. 69Diane de PoitiersDiane de Poitiers1499–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.66
  70. 70Firmin DidotFirmin Didot1764–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.66
  71. 71Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.65
  72. 72Edgar QuinetEdgar Quinet1803–1875 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
  73. 73Pierre CorneillePierre Corneille1606–1684 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
  74. 74Charles NodierCharles Nodier1780–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  75. 75Ferdinand de LessepsFerdinand de Lesseps1805–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.57
  76. 76Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday1768–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.56
  77. 77Antoine of NavarreAntoine of Navarre1518–1562 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.56
  78. 78Louis RacineLouis Racine1692–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  79. 79Francis GarnierFrancis Garnier1839–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.55
  80. 80Casimir DelavigneCasimir Delavigne1793–1843 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  81. 81Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.53
  82. 82Ambroise ParéAmbroise Paré1510–1590 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.51
  83. 83Horace VernetHorace Vernet1789–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.51
  84. 84Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.50
  85. 85Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.49
  86. 86Antoine Quentin Fouquier-TinvilleAntoine Quentin Fouquier-Tinville1746–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.49
  87. 87Jean GoujonJean Goujon1510–1567 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Architects0.48
  88. 88Olivier de SerresOlivier de Serres1539–1619 · 16th century · Writers0.48
  89. 89Arsène Arnaud ClaretieArsène Arnaud Claretie1840–1913 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0.47
  90. 90Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.47
  91. 91Pope Urban VPope Urban V1310–1370 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.47
  92. 92Octave FeuilletOctave Feuillet1821–1890 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.47
  93. 93HOHelladius of Auxerredied 387 · 4th century · Religious Figures0.46
  94. 94Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de MaintenonFrançoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon1635–1719 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.46
  95. 95Eugène SueEugène Sue1804–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.45
  96. 96Anne de MontmorencyAnne de Montmorency1493–1567 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.44
  97. 97François CoppéeFrançois Coppée1842–1908 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.44
  98. 98Charles, Count of SoissonsCharles, Count of Soissons1566–1612 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.44
  99. 99Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.44
  100. 100Sadi CarnotSadi Carnot1837–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.44

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.