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🇦🇹 Austria
FieldAllPoliticiansHistorical FiguresWritersScientistsMusiciansArtistsAcademicsArchitectsDoctorsReligious Figures
  1. 1Friedrich SchillerFriedrich Schiller1759–1805 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  2. 2Gotthold Ephraim LessingGotthold Ephraim Lessing1729–1781 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  3. 3Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Baron MunchausenBaron Munchausen1720–1797 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  5. 5Johann Joachim WinckelmannJohann Joachim Winckelmann1717–1768 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  6. 6Christoph Martin WielandChristoph Martin Wieland1733–1813 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  7. 7Friedrich Gottlieb KlopstockFriedrich Gottlieb Klopstock1724–1803 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers20 decades
  8. 8August von KotzebueAugust von Kotzebue1761–1819 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  9. 9Gottfried August BürgerGottfried August Bürger1747–1794 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  10. 10Nicolaus ZinzendorfNicolaus Zinzendorf1700–1760 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  11. 11Adolph Freiherr KniggeAdolph Freiherr Knigge1752–1796 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  12. 12Wilhelmine of Prussia, Margravine of Brandenburg-BayreuthWilhelmine of Prussia, Margravine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1709–1758 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  13. 13Jakob Michael Reinhold LenzJakob Michael Reinhold Lenz1751–1792 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  14. 14Johann Gottfried SeumeJohann Gottfried Seume1763–1810 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  15. 15Sophie von La RocheSophie von La Roche1731–1807 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  16. 16Friedrich Melchior, Baron von GrimmFriedrich Melchior, Baron von Grimm1723–1807 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  17. 17Caroline SchellingCaroline Schelling1763–1809 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  18. 18Karl Philipp MoritzKarl Philipp Moritz1756–1793 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers20 decades
  19. 19Barbara von KrüdenerBarbara von Krüdener1764–1824 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  20. 20Gerhard TersteegenGerhard Tersteegen1697–1769 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  21. 21Charlotte BuffCharlotte Buff1753–1828 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  22. 22Dorothea von SchlegelDorothea von Schlegel1764–1839 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  23. 23Emich Carl, 2nd Prince of LeiningenEmich Carl, 2nd Prince of Leiningen1763–1814 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  24. 24Johann Karl August MusäusJohann Karl August Musäus1735–1787 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  25. 25Christoph Friedrich NicolaiChristoph Friedrich Nicolai1733–1811 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  26. 26Johann Jakob BodmerJohann Jakob Bodmer1698–1783 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  27. 27Barthold Heinrich BrockesBarthold Heinrich Brockes1680–1747 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  28. 28Cornelia SchlosserCornelia Schlosser1750–1777 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3 decades
  29. 29Georg Heinrich von GörtzGeorg Heinrich von Görtz1668–1719 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  30. 30Ludwig Christoph Heinrich HöltyLudwig Christoph Heinrich Hölty1748–1776 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  31. 31Justus MöserJustus Möser1720–1794 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  32. 32Johann Jakob Wilhelm HeinseJohann Jakob Wilhelm Heinse1746–1803 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  33. 33Catharina Elisabeth GoetheCatharina Elisabeth Goethe1731–1808 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  34. 34Anna Louisa KarschAnna Louisa Karsch1722–1791 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  35. 35Christian Gottfried KörnerChristian Gottfried Körner1756–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers15 decades
  36. 36Karl von EckartshausenKarl von Eckartshausen1752–1803 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3 decades
  37. 37Ewald Christian von KleistEwald Christian von Kleist1715–1759 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  38. 38Luise GottschedLuise Gottsched1713–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2 decades
  39. 39Gottfried ArnoldGottfried Arnold1666–1714 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  40. 40Johann Christian GüntherJohann Christian Günther1695–1723 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers19 decades
  41. 41Friedrich Heinrich von SeckendorffFriedrich Heinrich von Seckendorff1673–1763 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  42. 42Christiana Mariana von ZieglerChristiana Mariana von Ziegler1695–1760 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  43. 43Johann Georg JacobiJohann Georg Jacobi1740–1814 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  44. 44Moritz August von ThümmelMoritz August von Thümmel1738–1817 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  45. 45Friedrich von HagedornFriedrich von Hagedorn1708–1754 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  46. 46Johann Lorenz von MosheimJohann Lorenz von Mosheim1693–1755 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  47. 47Friedrich Karl August, Prince of Waldeck and PyrmontFriedrich Karl August, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont1743–1812 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  48. 48Christian Felix WeißeChristian Felix Weiße1726–1804 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  49. 49Johann Nikolaus von HontheimJohann Nikolaus von Hontheim1701–1790 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  50. 50Susanne von KlettenbergSusanne von Klettenberg1723–1774 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  51. 51Heinrich Leopold WagnerHeinrich Leopold Wagner1747–1779 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers15 decades
  52. 52JGJohann Gottfried Schnabel1692–1750 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  53. 53Karl Friedrich BahrdtKarl Friedrich Bahrdt1741–1792 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  54. 54Sophie von KühnSophie von Kühn1782–1797 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55Ludwig Gotthard KosegartenLudwig Gotthard Kosegarten1758–1818 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  56. 56Eulogius SchneiderEulogius Schneider1756–1794 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  57. 57Georg Wilhelm de GenninGeorg Wilhelm de Gennin1676–1750 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  58. 58Johann UzJohann Uz1720–1796 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  59. 59Johann Jakob EngelJohann Jakob Engel1741–1802 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  60. 60Naphtali Hirz WesselyNaphtali Hirz Wessely1725–1805 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Karl Wilhelm RamlerKarl Wilhelm Ramler1725–1798 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers15 decades
  62. 62Johann Jakob BruckerJohann Jakob Brucker1696–1770 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  63. 63Theophilus Siegfried BayerTheophilus Siegfried Bayer1694–1738 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  64. 64Jacob Paul von GundlingJacob Paul von Gundling1673–1731 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Karl Ludwig von KnebelKarl Ludwig von Knebel1744–1834 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  66. 66Friedrich Wilhelm GotterFriedrich Wilhelm Gotter1746–1797 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  67. 67Johann Caspar GoetheJohann Caspar Goethe1710–1782 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Christian Jakob KrausChristian Jakob Kraus1753–1807 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  69. 69Henry Ernest of Stolberg-WernigerodeHenry Ernest of Stolberg-Wernigerode1716–1778 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  70. 70Heinrich Christian BoieHeinrich Christian Boie1744–1806 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  71. 71Johann HübnerJohann Hübner1668–1731 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers19 decades
  72. 72ADAvraham Danzig1748–1820 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Siegmund Jakob BaumgartenSiegmund Jakob Baumgarten1706–1757 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3 decades
  74. 74Elisabeth Sophie Marie of Schleswig-Holstein-NorburgElisabeth Sophie Marie of Schleswig-Holstein-Norburg1683–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75JEJohann Elias Schlegel1719–1749 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  76. 76Karl Ludwig von PöllnitzKarl Ludwig von Pöllnitz1692–1775 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Sebastian SailerSebastian Sailer1714–1777 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  78. 78Johann Martin ChladeniusJohann Martin Chladenius1710–1759 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Alois Friedrich von BrühlAlois Friedrich von Brühl1739–1793 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80Benjamin SchmolckBenjamin Schmolck1672–1737 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Johann Nikolaus GötzJohann Nikolaus Götz1721–1781 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  82. 82Georg Friedrich BeneckeGeorg Friedrich Benecke1762–1844 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  83. 83Johann Leonhard FrischJohann Leonhard Frisch1666–1743 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  84. 84Johann Martin MillerJohann Martin Miller1750–1814 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  85. 85Gottlieb RabenerGottlieb Rabener1714–1771 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6 decades
  86. 86Benedikte NaubertBenedikte Naubert1752–1819 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87Erdmuthe Dorothea of Reuss-EbersdorfErdmuthe Dorothea of Reuss-Ebersdorf1700–1756 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Elise ReimarusElise Reimarus1735–1805 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Heinrich Friedrich von DiezHeinrich Friedrich von Diez1751–1817 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Heinrich von BünauHeinrich von Bünau1697–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Michael Friedrich von AlthannMichael Friedrich von Althann1682–1734 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Nicolaus Hieronymus GundlingNicolaus Hieronymus Gundling1671–1729 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Christian Friedrich HunoldChristian Friedrich Hunold1680–1721 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Johann Melchior GoezeJohann Melchior Goeze1717–1786 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Johann Friedrich UngerJohann Friedrich Unger1753–1804 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Caspar AbelCaspar Abel1676–1763 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  97. 97Johann David KöhlerJohann David Köhler1684–1755 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98JAJakob Adlung1699–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  99. 99Justus Friedrich Wilhelm ZachariaeJustus Friedrich Wilhelm Zachariae1726–1777 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Christian Adolph OverbeckChristian Adolph Overbeck1755–1821 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot 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.