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 French books during the 1890s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish16,297German3,409French3,146Italian1,714Spanish1,109Russian242Hebrew99Chinese3
  1. 1Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures25
  2. 2VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17
  4. 4Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures12
  5. 5Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures9.4
  6. 6Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8.6
  7. 7François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures6.3
  8. 8Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France6.1
  9. 9MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics5.8
  10. 10Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.3
  11. 11Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures4.5
  12. 12Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4.5
  13. 13Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4.2
  14. 14HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France4.2
  15. 15Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3.3
  16. 16George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.0
  17. 17Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures3.0
  18. 18Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.9
  19. 19Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.8
  20. 20Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.7
  21. 21Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  22. 22Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.3
  23. 23Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.3
  24. 24Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.0
  25. 25Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.0
  26. 26Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.0
  27. 27Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  28. 28StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  29. 29Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  30. 30Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  31. 31Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.5
  32. 32Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.5
  33. 33Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  34. 34Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.4
  35. 35Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  36. 36Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  37. 37Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  38. 38Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  39. 39Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  40. 40Ludovico SforzaLudovico Sforza1452–1508 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  41. 41Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France1.1
  42. 42Odilon BarrotOdilon Barrot1791–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  43. 43Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  44. 44Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.0
  45. 45Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France1.0
  46. 46Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  47. 47NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.0
  48. 48Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.97
  49. 49Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.96
  50. 50La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.95
  51. 51Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.94
  52. 52Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0.93
  53. 53André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.90
  54. 54Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.89
  55. 55Léon BourgeoisLéon Bourgeois1851–1925 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.88
  56. 56Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.86
  57. 57Jules LemaîtreJules Lemaître1853–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83
  58. 58Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.82
  59. 59Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.77
  60. 60Frédéric PassyFrédéric Passy1822–1912 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.75
  61. 61Augustin ThierryAugustin Thierry1795–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  62. 62Jules GuesdeJules Guesde1845–1922 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0.74
  63. 63Camille DesmoulinsCamille Desmoulins1760–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0.73
  64. 64Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.72
  65. 65Pierre LotiPierre Loti1850–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.67
  66. 66Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.64
  67. 67Jeanne d'AlbretJeanne d'Albret1528–1572 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.63
  68. 68Casimir DelavigneCasimir Delavigne1793–1843 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  69. 69Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany1477–1514 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.60
  70. 70Louis de Bourbon, Bishop of LiègeLouis de Bourbon, Bishop of Liège1438–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.60
  71. 71Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of PenthièvreLouis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre1725–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.60
  72. 72Louis de Bourbon, Count of ClermontLouis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont1709–1771 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.60
  73. 73Louis, Count of SoissonsLouis, Count of Soissons1604–1641 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.60
  74. 74Louis, Count of VermandoisLouis, Count of Vermandois1667–1683 · 17th century0.60
  75. 75Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.58
  76. 76Pope Urban VPope Urban V1310–1370 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.57
  77. 77François CoppéeFrançois Coppée1842–1908 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  78. 78Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.56
  79. 79Salomon ReinachSalomon Reinach1858–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.55
  80. 80Gustav III of SwedenGustav III of Sweden1746–1792 · 18th century · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0.55
  81. 81Margaret of ValoisMargaret of Valois1553–1615 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.55
  82. 82Pierre LerouxPierre Leroux1797–1871 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.52
  83. 83Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.52
  84. 84Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.51
  85. 85Pope Gregory XIPope Gregory XI1329–1378 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.49
  86. 86Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday1768–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.47
  87. 87HOHelladius of Auxerredied 387 · 4th century · Religious Figures0.46
  88. 88Blanche of CastileBlanche of Castile1188–1252 · 13th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.45
  89. 89Arsène Arnaud ClaretieArsène Arnaud Claretie1840–1913 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0.44
  90. 90Firmin DidotFirmin Didot1764–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.44
  91. 91Georges MichelGeorges Michel1763–1843 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.44
  92. 92Octave FeuilletOctave Feuillet1821–1890 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.43
  93. 93Diane de PoitiersDiane de Poitiers1499–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.43
  94. 94Mathieu DumasMathieu Dumas1753–1837 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.42
  95. 95Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de MaintenonFrançoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon1635–1719 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.42
  96. 96Lucien BonaparteLucien Bonaparte1775–1840 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.42
  97. 97Charles NodierCharles Nodier1780–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.42
  98. 98Claude Joseph Rouget de LisleClaude Joseph Rouget de Lisle1760–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.42
  99. 99David d'AngersDavid d'Angers1788–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.42
  100. 100Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.42

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.