Claim profile
1890–1899

The 1890s

Whose names filled the books of the 1890s — 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 1890s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish16,297German3,409French3,146Italian1,714Spanish1,109Russian242Hebrew99Chinese3
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures48
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers9.8
  3. 3AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians9.7
  4. 4PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.0
  5. 5AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.5
  6. 6CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians7.4
  7. 7SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics5.2
  8. 8VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.9
  9. 9Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures3.7
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures3.7
  11. 11Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians3.7
  12. 12Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders3.5
  13. 13HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers3.0
  14. 14Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.7
  15. 15PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics2.6
  16. 16CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures2.6
  17. 17OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.3
  18. 18William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists2.2
  19. 19EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.2
  20. 20Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century2.2
  21. 21HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.2
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians2.2
  23. 23HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century2.2
  24. 24Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  25. 25Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.2
  26. 26DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.1
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.0
  28. 28EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.9
  29. 29PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.9
  30. 30LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.9
  31. 31Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.9
  32. 32George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.9
  33. 33John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.9
  34. 34XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.9
  35. 35OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics1.8
  36. 36Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians1.7
  37. 37HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.7
  38. 38Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century1.7
  39. 39Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century1.7
  40. 40Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century1.7
  41. 41Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models1.7
  42. 42Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians1.7
  43. 43Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  44. 44BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.7
  45. 45George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.7
  46. 46John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures1.6
  47. 47John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.6
  48. 48HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.6
  49. 49Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France1.6
  50. 50James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century1.6
  51. 51SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.6
  52. 52SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.6
  53. 53Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer1820–1903 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.6
  54. 54Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models1.5
  55. 55Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.5
  56. 56Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.5
  57. 57Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century1.5
  58. 58HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century1.5
  59. 59Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.5
  60. 60Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century1.5
  61. 61Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  62. 62Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century1.5
  63. 63Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century1.5
  64. 64Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century1.5
  65. 65Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.5
  66. 66StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.5
  67. 67Matthew ArnoldMatthew Arnold1822–1888 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.5
  68. 68HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century1.5
  69. 69Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians1.5
  70. 70Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century1.5
  71. 71ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  72. 72Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.5
  73. 73John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  74. 74RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.4
  75. 75TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.4
  76. 76TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics1.3
  77. 77AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.3
  78. 78Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.3
  79. 79HoseaHoseaborn 784 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures1.3
  80. 80PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  81. 81Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.2
  82. 82John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians1.2
  83. 83Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  84. 84John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century1.2
  85. 85Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.2
  86. 86Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.1
  87. 87WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.1
  88. 88William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.1
  89. 89WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.1
  90. 90WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.1
  91. 91William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.1
  92. 92WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.1
  93. 93WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.1
  94. 94OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.1
  95. 95SullaSulla138 BC–78 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.1
  96. 96George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.1
  97. 97George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.1
  98. 98George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.1
  99. 99Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.0

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1890s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Nikola TeslaNikola Tesla1856–1943 · Scientists13 decades
  2. 2Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · Writers15 decades
  3. 3Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud1856–1939 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers12 decades
  4. 4Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures17 decades
  6. 6Gustav MahlerGustav Mahler1860–1911 · Musicians13 decades
  7. 7Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini1858–1924 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians15 decades
  8. 8Arthur Conan DoyleArthur Conan Doyle1859–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  9. 9Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  10. 10Pope Pius XIPope Pius XI1857–1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures10 decades
  11. 11Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers14 decades
  12. 12Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  13. 13Max PlanckMax Planck1858–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  14. 14Gustav KlimtGustav Klimt1862–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists12 decades
  15. 15Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  16. 16Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria1863–1914 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured—
  17. 17Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain1856–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  18. 18Edvard MunchEdvard Munch1863–1944 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Artists7 decades
  19. 19Konstantin TsiolkovskyKonstantin Tsiolkovsky1857–1935 · Scientists5 decades
  20. 20Claude DebussyClaude Debussy1862–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  21. 21George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw1856–1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  22. 22Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  23. 23Pierre CuriePierre Curie1859–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  24. 24Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-PowellRobert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell1857–1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  25. 25Theodor HerzlTheodor Herzl1860–1904 · Journalists13 decades
  26. 26Rudolf SteinerRudolf Steiner1861–1925 · Writers14 decades
  27. 27Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · Writers13 decades
  28. 28Henri de Toulouse-LautrecHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec1864–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  29. 29Henri BergsonHenri Bergson1859–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  30. 30Richard StraussRichard Strauss1864–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians13 decades
  31. 31Émile DurkheimÉmile Durkheim1858–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  32. 32Thérèse of LisieuxThérèse of Lisieux1873–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics10 decades
  33. 33Clara ZetkinClara Zetkin1857–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  34. 34Konstantin StanislavskiKonstantin Stanislavski1863–1938 · Actors9 decades
  35. 35Joseph ConradJoseph Conrad1857–1924 · Writers14 decades
  36. 36Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  37. 37Selma LagerlöfSelma Lagerlöf1858–1940 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers7 decades
  38. 38David HilbertDavid Hilbert1862–1943 · Academics14 decades
  39. 39Pierre de CoubertinPierre de Coubertin1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Educators14 decades
  40. 40Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore1861–1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers11 decades
  41. 41Alfred DreyfusAlfred Dreyfus1859–1935 · 🇫🇷 France13 decades
  42. 42Knut HamsunKnut Hamsun1859–1952 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Writers10 decades
  43. 43Pyotr StolypinPyotr Stolypin1862–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  44. 44William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft1857–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  45. 45Fridtjof NansenFridtjof Nansen1861–1930 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Politicians13 decades
  46. 46John DeweyJohn Dewey1859–1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  47. 47Edmund HusserlEdmund Husserl1859–1938 · Academics12 decades
  48. 48Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  49. 49Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel1858–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  50. 50Arthur SchnitzlerArthur Schnitzler1862–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers14 decades
  51. 51Vladimir VernadskyVladimir Vernadsky1863–1945 · Academics8 decades
  52. 52Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  53. 53Heinrich HertzHeinrich Hertz1857–1894 · Scientists13 decades
  54. 54Ferdinand de SaussureFerdinand de Saussure1857–1913 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics12 decades
  55. 55L. L. ZamenhofL. L. Zamenhof1859–1917 · Doctorsnot measured—
  56. 56Maurice MaeterlinckMaurice Maeterlinck1862–1949 · Writers13 decades
  57. 57Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  58. 58David Lloyd GeorgeDavid Lloyd George1863–1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  59. 59Swami VivekanandaSwami Vivekananda1863–1902 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics13 decades
  60. 60Georges MélièsGeorges Méliès1861–1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors9 decades
  61. 61Georgi PlekhanovGeorgi Plekhanov1856–1918 · Academics11 decades
  62. 62Alphonse MuchaAlphonse Mucha1860–1939 · Artists1 decades
  63. 63J. M. BarrieJ. M. Barrie1860–1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  64. 64Emmeline PankhurstEmmeline Pankhurst1858–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians7 decades
  65. 65Lou Andreas-SaloméLou Andreas-Salomé1861–1937 · Writers1 decades
  66. 66Italo SvevoItalo Svevo1861–1928 · Writers10 decades
  67. 67Mehmed VIMehmed VI1861–1926 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0 decades
  68. 68Edward ElgarEdward Elgar1857–1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians13 decades
  69. 69Georges SeuratGeorges Seurat1859–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  70. 70J. J. ThomsonJ. J. Thomson1856–1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists0 decades
  71. 71Edith WhartonEdith Wharton1862–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  72. 72Nellie BlyNellie Bly1864–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  73. 73José RizalJosé Rizal1861–1896 · Writers13 decades
  74. 74Alfred North WhiteheadAlfred North Whitehead1861–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics10 decades
  75. 75Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · Writers10 decades
  76. 76Paul DoumerPaul Doumer1857–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  77. 77Pietro MascagniPietro Mascagni1863–1945 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians13 decades
  78. 78Svante ArrheniusSvante Arrhenius1859–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists6 decades
  79. 79Alexander Stepanovich PopovAlexander Stepanovich Popov1859–1905 · Scientists15 decades
  80. 80Georg SimmelGeorg Simmel1858–1918 · Academics13 decades
  81. 81George SantayanaGeorge Santayana1863–1952 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics9 decades
  82. 82Camille ClaudelCamille Claudel1864–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  83. 83Emilio SalgariEmilio Salgari1862–1911 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers13 decades
  84. 84Gustaf V of SwedenGustaf V of Sweden1858–1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  85. 85John Singer SargentJohn Singer Sargent1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists11 decades
  86. 86Philipp LenardPhilipp Lenard1862–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  87. 87Isaac LevitanIsaac Levitan1860–1900 · Artists7 decades
  88. 88Eleonora DuseEleonora Duse1858–1924 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors14 decades
  89. 89Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians12 decades
  90. 90Maurice BarrèsMaurice Barrès1862–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  91. 91Alexandre MillerandAlexandre Millerand1859–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  92. 92Theobald von Bethmann-HollwegTheobald von Bethmann-Hollweg1856–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  93. 93Alois AlzheimerAlois Alzheimer1864–1915 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors3 decades
  94. 94Paul DeschanelPaul Deschanel1855–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians14 decades
  95. 95Gaston DoumergueGaston Doumergue1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  96. 96L. Frank BaumL. Frank Baum1856–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  97. 97Jane AddamsJane Addams1860–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  98. 98Georgy LvovGeorgy Lvov1861–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  99. 99Klara HitlerKlara Hitler1860–1907 · 🇦🇹 Austria1 decades
  100. 100Isaac AlbénizIsaac Albéniz1860–1909 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Musicians12 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.