Claim profile
1700–1799

The 18th century

Whose working lives fell in the 18th century. Books are measured from 1800 and readers from 2015, so for this period we can say who lived then, not who was talked about then.

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 18th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇺🇸 United States🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇸🇪 Sweden🇯🇵 Japan🇹🇷 Turkey🇨🇭 Switzerland
FieldAllPoliticiansHistorical FiguresWritersScientistsMusiciansArtistsAcademicsArchitectsDoctorsReligious Figures
  1. 1Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach1685–1750 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians22 decades
  2. 2Friedrich SchillerFriedrich Schiller1759–1805 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  3. 3Frederick the GreatFrederick the Great1712–1786 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  4. 4George Frideric HandelGeorge Frideric Handel1685–1759 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians21 decades
  5. 5Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures21 decades
  6. 6Gotthold Ephraim LessingGotthold Ephraim Lessing1729–1781 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  7. 7George II of Great BritainGeorge II of Great Britain1683–1760 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  8. 8Johann Gottlieb FichteJohann Gottlieb Fichte1762–1814 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  9. 9Augustus II the StrongAugustus II the Strong1670–1733 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures19 decades
  10. 10Christoph Willibald GluckChristoph Willibald Gluck1714–1787 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians9 decades
  11. 11Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  12. 12William HerschelWilliam Herschel1738–1822 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists22 decades
  13. 13Carl Philipp Emanuel BachCarl Philipp Emanuel Bach1714–1788 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians15 decades
  14. 14Baron MunchausenBaron Munchausen1720–1797 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  15. 15Georg Philipp TelemannGeorg Philipp Telemann1681–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians12 decades
  16. 16Charlotte of Mecklenburg-StrelitzCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz1744–1818 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  17. 17Leopold MozartLeopold Mozart1719–1787 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians20 decades
  18. 18Georg Christoph LichtenbergGeorg Christoph Lichtenberg1742–1799 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists17 decades
  19. 19Gebhard Leberecht von BlücherGebhard Leberecht von Blücher1742–1819 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3 decades
  20. 20Maximilian I Joseph of BavariaMaximilian I Joseph of Bavaria1756–1825 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8 decades
  21. 21Johann Joachim WinckelmannJohann Joachim Winckelmann1717–1768 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  22. 22Christoph Martin WielandChristoph Martin Wieland1733–1813 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  23. 23Johann Christian BachJohann Christian Bach1735–1782 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians12 decades
  24. 24Samuel HahnemannSamuel Hahnemann1755–1843 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors20 decades
  25. 25Moses MendelssohnMoses Mendelssohn1729–1786 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  26. 26Augustus III of PolandAugustus III of Poland1696–1763 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  27. 27Friedrich Gottlieb KlopstockFriedrich Gottlieb Klopstock1724–1803 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers20 decades
  28. 28Adam WeishauptAdam Weishaupt1748–1830 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics18 decades
  29. 29Franz MesmerFranz Mesmer1734–1815 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors9 decades
  30. 30August von KotzebueAugust von Kotzebue1761–1819 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  31. 31Caroline HerschelCaroline Herschel1750–1848 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists10 decades
  32. 32Frederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales1707–1751 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  33. 33Constanze MozartConstanze Mozart1762–1842 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians6 decades
  34. 34Wilhelm Friedemann BachWilhelm Friedemann Bach1710–1784 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians13 decades
  35. 35Maurice de SaxeMaurice de Saxe1696–1750 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians22 decades
  36. 36Johann Friedrich StruenseeJohann Friedrich Struensee1737–1772 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  37. 37Frederick Augustus I of SaxonyFrederick Augustus I of Saxony1750–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  38. 38Sophia Charlotte of HanoverSophia Charlotte of Hanover1668–1705 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  39. 39Johann Friedrich BlumenbachJohann Friedrich Blumenbach1752–1840 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors11 decades
  40. 40Maria Josepha of Saxony, Dauphine of FranceMaria Josepha of Saxony, Dauphine of France1731–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  41. 41Gottfried August BürgerGottfried August Bürger1747–1794 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  42. 42Caroline of AnsbachCaroline of Ansbach1683–1737 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  43. 43Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelElisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1691–1750 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Nicolaus ZinzendorfNicolaus Zinzendorf1700–1760 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  45. 45Adolph Freiherr KniggeAdolph Freiherr Knigge1752–1796 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  46. 46Sophia Dorothea of HanoverSophia Dorothea of Hanover1687–1757 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  47. 47Sophia Dorothea of CelleSophia Dorothea of Celle1666–1726 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Anton Raphael MengsAnton Raphael Mengs1728–1779 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists18 decades
  49. 49Maria Anna of NeuburgMaria Anna of Neuburg1667–1740 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  50. 50AGAlexander Gottlieb Baumgarten1714–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics11 decades
  51. 51Johann Georg HamannJohann Georg Hamann1730–1788 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades
  52. 52Anna Magdalena BachAnna Magdalena Bach1701–1760 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians10 decades
  53. 53Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of BrunswickCharles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick1735–1806 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  54. 54Dorothea Christiane ErxlebenDorothea Christiane Erxleben1715–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors1 decades
  55. 55Friedrich Heinrich JacobiFriedrich Heinrich Jacobi1743–1819 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  56. 56Princess Augusta of Saxe-GothaPrincess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha1719–1772 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  57. 57Maria Josepha of BavariaMaria Josepha of Bavaria1739–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  58. 58Karl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenKarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1728–1811 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  59. 59Wilhelmine of Prussia, Margravine of Brandenburg-BayreuthWilhelmine of Prussia, Margravine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1709–1758 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  60. 60Johann Christoph Friedrich BachJohann Christoph Friedrich Bach1732–1795 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians6 decades
  61. 61Jakob Michael Reinhold LenzJakob Michael Reinhold Lenz1751–1792 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  62. 62Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-SaalfeldFrancis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld1750–1806 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  63. 63Marie Clotilde of FranceMarie Clotilde of France1759–1802 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures13 decades
  64. 64Anna LeopoldovnaAnna Leopoldovna1718–1746 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  65. 65Ernst ChladniErnst Chladni1756–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists5 decades
  66. 66Johann Joachim QuantzJohann Joachim Quantz1697–1773 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians7 decades
  67. 67Maria Amalia of AustriaMaria Amalia of Austria1701–1756 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  68. 68Joseph Süß OppenheimerJoseph Süß Oppenheimer1698–1738 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Founders6 decades
  69. 69Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-BevernElisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern1715–1797 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  70. 70Wilhelmine Amalia of Brunswick-LüneburgWilhelmine Amalia of Brunswick-Lüneburg1673–1742 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  71. 71Maria Antonia Walpurgis of BavariaMaria Antonia Walpurgis of Bavaria1724–1780 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians0 decades
  72. 72William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  73. 73Christiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-BayreuthChristiane Eberhardine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1671–1727 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  74. 74Prince Augustus William of PrussiaPrince Augustus William of Prussia1722–1758 · 🇩🇪 Germany8 decades
  75. 75Johann Friedrich GmelinJohann Friedrich Gmelin1748–1804 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists3 decades
  76. 76Maria Barbara BachMaria Barbara Bach1684–1720 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians0 decades
  77. 77Anne, Princess Royal and Princess of OrangeAnne, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange1709–1759 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  78. 78Levin August von BennigsenLevin August von Bennigsen1745–1826 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Carl StamitzCarl Stamitz1745–1801 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians6 decades
  80. 80John William Friso, Prince of OrangeJohn William Friso, Prince of Orange1687–1711 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4 decades
  81. 81Louis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-DarmstadtLouis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt1719–1790 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  82. 82Louis I, Grand Duke of HesseLouis I, Grand Duke of Hesse1753–1830 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  83. 83Natalia Alexeievna of RussiaNatalia Alexeievna of Russia1755–1776 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Duchess Elisabeth of WürttembergDuchess Elisabeth of Württemberg1767–1790 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures5 decades
  85. 85Frederika Louisa of Hesse-DarmstadtFrederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt1751–1805 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  86. 86Charlotte Christine of Brunswick-LüneburgCharlotte Christine of Brunswick-Lüneburg1694–1715 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  87. 87Princess Philippine Charlotte of PrussiaPrincess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia1716–1801 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  88. 88Friedrich II, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselFriedrich II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1720–1785 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures17 decades
  89. 89Archduchess Maria Theresa of AustriaArchduchess Maria Theresa of Austria1762–1770 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  90. 90Johann van BeethovenJohann van Beethoven1739–1792 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians12 decades
  91. 91Princess Amelia of Great BritainPrincess Amelia of Great Britain1711–1786 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  92. 92Duke Anthony Ulrich of BrunswickDuke Anthony Ulrich of Brunswick1714–1774 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelCharles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1713–1780 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  94. 94Frederick Michael, Count Palatine of ZweibrückenFrederick Michael, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken1724–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  95. 95Sophia Dorothea of PrussiaSophia Dorothea of Prussia1719–1765 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Modelsnot measured—
  96. 96Ferdinand Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFerdinand Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1680–1735 · 🇩🇪 Germany1 decades
  97. 97Margravine Friederike of Brandenburg-SchwedtMargravine Friederike of Brandenburg-Schwedt1736–1798 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Modelsnot measured—
  98. 98Heinrich Wilhelm Matthias OlbersHeinrich Wilhelm Matthias Olbers1758–1840 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors0 decades
  99. 99Duke Charles Louis Frederick of MecklenburgDuke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg1708–1752 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  100. 100Albert Casimir, Duke of TeschenAlbert Casimir, Duke of Teschen1738–1822 · 🇩🇪 Germany · 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.