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 Spanish books during the 1890s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish16,297German3,409French3,146Italian1,714Spanish1,109Russian242Hebrew99Chinese3
  1. 1John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal9.7
  2. 2Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians6.9
  3. 3Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers6.0
  4. 4Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures5.0
  5. 5Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers4.6
  6. 6Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.7
  7. 7Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.4
  8. 8Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.0
  9. 9Rodrigo de QuirogaRodrigo de Quiroga1512–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.0
  10. 10Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.9
  11. 11JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.8
  12. 12Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.6
  13. 13Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.4
  14. 14John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.2
  15. 15Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians2.1
  16. 16Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers2.1
  17. 17Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.1
  18. 18Francisco de VillagraFrancisco de Villagra1511–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.0
  19. 19Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  20. 20Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.7
  21. 21John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.6
  22. 22Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  23. 23Juan López de PadillaJuan López de Padilla1490–1521 · 16th century · Activists1.4
  24. 24Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians1.4
  25. 25Alonso de AlvaradoAlonso de Alvarado1500–1556 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.4
  26. 26Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.4
  27. 27Antonio Cánovas del CastilloAntonio Cánovas del Castillo1828–1897 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  28. 28Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.3
  29. 29Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.2
  30. 30Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.2
  31. 31Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.0
  32. 32Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.0
  33. 33Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.0
  34. 34María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.95
  35. 35Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.94
  36. 36Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.93
  37. 37Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century0.88
  38. 38Práxedes Mateo SagastaPráxedes Mateo Sagasta1825–1903 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.86
  39. 39Juan de la CosaJuan de la Cosa1450–1510 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.86
  40. 40Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.83
  41. 41Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.82
  42. 42Emilio CastelarEmilio Castelar1832–1899 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.82
  43. 43Ambrosio de MoralesAmbrosio de Morales1513–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.79
  44. 44Ángel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of RivasÁngel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of Rivas1791–1865 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.79
  45. 45Manuel MonttManuel Montt1809–1880 · 19th century · Politicians0.78
  46. 46Pedro de VillagraPedro de Villagra1513–1577 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.78
  47. 47Francisco PachecoFrancisco Pacheco1564–1644 · 16th century · Artists0.76
  48. 48Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.76
  49. 49John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.75
  50. 50PDPedro de Soto1493–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.75
  51. 51Ramón de la CruzRamón de la Cruz1731–1794 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.73
  52. 52Antonio de UlloaAntonio de Ulloa1716–1795 · 18th century · Writers0.73
  53. 53Manuel OribeManuel Oribe1792–1857 · 19th century · Politicians0.72
  54. 54Francisco GuerreroFrancisco Guerrero1528–1599 · 16th century · Musicians0.69
  55. 55Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.68
  56. 56Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers0.66
  57. 57Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.65
  58. 58Juan BravoJuan Bravo1483–1521 · 16th century · Politicians0.65
  59. 59Emilia Pardo BazánEmilia Pardo Bazán1851–1921 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.63
  60. 60RecceswinthRecceswinthdied 672 · 7th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.62
  61. 61WittizaWittiza686–710 · 8th century · Historical Figures0.62
  62. 62Juan de HerreraJuan de Herrera1530–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects0.62
  63. 63Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.62
  64. 64Fructuoso RiveraFructuoso Rivera1784–1854 · 19th century · Politicians0.61
  65. 65Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.61
  66. 66Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians0.60
  67. 67Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.59
  68. 68Martín Ruiz de GamboaMartín Ruiz de Gamboa1533–1590 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.58
  69. 69Diego de RojasDiego de Rojas1500–1544 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.56
  70. 70Fernán CaballeroFernán Caballero1796–1877 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.56
  71. 71Víctor Balaguer i CireraVíctor Balaguer i Cirera1824–1901 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.53
  72. 72Concepción Arenal PonteConcepción Arenal Ponte1820–1893 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.53
  73. 73José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.53
  74. 74Manuel GodoyManuel Godoy1767–1851 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.52
  75. 75Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.52
  76. 76Manuel QuintanaManuel Quintana1835–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.51
  77. 77Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.51
  78. 78Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.50
  79. 79Gil VicenteGil Vicente1465–1536 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Writers0.50
  80. 80Rodrigo CaroRodrigo Caro1573–1647 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.50
  81. 81Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.49
  82. 82Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · 19th century · Politicians0.48
  83. 83Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto1500–1542 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.48
  84. 84Marcelino Menéndez y PelayoMarcelino Menéndez y Pelayo1856–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.48
  85. 85Alonso RodriguezAlonso Rodriguez1526–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.47
  86. 86Martín Alonso PinzónMartín Alonso Pinzón1441–1493 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.47
  87. 87García Hurtado de Mendoza, 5th Marquis of CañeteGarcía Hurtado de Mendoza, 5th Marquis of Cañete1535–1609 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.46
  88. 88Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.46
  89. 89Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.46
  90. 90Anna of Austria, Queen of SpainAnna of Austria, Queen of Spain1549–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.45
  91. 91Gil González DávilaGil González Dávila1480–1526 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.45
  92. 92GGGil Gonzalez de Ávila1570–1658 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.45
  93. 93José EchegarayJosé Echegaray1832–1916 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.45
  94. 94Claudio CoelloClaudio Coello1642–1693 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.44
  95. 95Venancio FloresVenancio Flores1808–1868 · 19th century · Politicians0.43
  96. 96Pedro González de MendozaPedro González de Mendoza1428–1495 · 15th century · Politicians0.42
  97. 97Michael de SanctisMichael de Sanctis1591–1625 · 17th century · Religious Figures0.41
  98. 98Thomas of VillanovaThomas of Villanova1488–1555 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.40
  99. 99Luis de GranadaLuis de Granada1504–1588 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.40
  100. 100Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.40

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.