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. 1Carl LinnaeusCarl Linnaeus1707–1778 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists7 decades
  2. 2Charles XII of SwedenCharles XII of Sweden1682–1718 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures22 decades
  3. 3Anders CelsiusAnders Celsius1701–1744 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  4. 4Emanuel SwedenborgEmanuel Swedenborg1688–1772 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  5. 5Gustav III of SwedenGustav III of Sweden1746–1792 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians22 decades
  6. 6Charles XIII of SwedenCharles XIII of Sweden1748–1818 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  7. 7Adolf Frederick, King of SwedenAdolf Frederick, King of Sweden1710–1771 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures22 decades
  8. 8Carl Wilhelm ScheeleCarl Wilhelm Scheele1742–1786 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists8 decades
  9. 9Frederick I of SwedenFrederick I of Sweden1676–1751 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  10. 10Ulrika Eleonora, Queen of SwedenUlrika Eleonora, Queen of Sweden1688–1741 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  11. 11Charles Frederick, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpCharles Frederick, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1700–1739 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  12. 12Axel von Fersen the YoungerAxel von Fersen the Younger1755–1810 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians12 decades
  13. 13Carl Michael BellmanCarl Michael Bellman1740–1795 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  14. 14Louisa Ulrika of PrussiaLouisa Ulrika of Prussia1720–1782 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  15. 15Carl Peter ThunbergCarl Peter Thunberg1743–1828 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  16. 16Sophia Magdalena of DenmarkSophia Magdalena of Denmark1746–1813 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  17. 17Alexander RoslinAlexander Roslin1718–1793 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  18. 18Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-GottorpHedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp1759–1818 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  19. 19Hedvig Sophia of SwedenHedvig Sophia of Sweden1681–1708 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  20. 20Johan GadolinJohan Gadolin1760–1852 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  21. 21Carl Linnaeus the YoungerCarl Linnaeus the Younger1741–1783 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  22. 22Joseph Martin KrausJoseph Martin Kraus1756–1792 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians4 decades
  23. 23Sophia Albertina of SwedenSophia Albertina of Sweden1753–1829 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  24. 24Daniel SolanderDaniel Solander1733–1782 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  25. 25Magnus StenbockMagnus Stenbock1665–1717 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  26. 26Stephen HalesStephen Hales1677–1761 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists22 decades
  27. 27Gustaf Mauritz ArmfeltGustaf Mauritz Armfelt1757–1814 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  28. 28Philip Johan von StrahlenbergPhilip Johan von Strahlenberg1676–1747 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  29. 29Eva EkebladEva Ekeblad1724–1786 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  30. 30William ChambersWilliam Chambers1723–1796 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Architects22 decades
  31. 31Peter ForsskålPeter Forsskål1732–1763 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  32. 32Johan Tobias SergelJohan Tobias Sergel1740–1814 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  33. 33Torbern BergmanTorbern Bergman1735–1784 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists1 decades
  34. 34Fredrik Adolf of Sweden, Duke of ÖstergötlandFredrik Adolf of Sweden, Duke of Östergötland1750–1803 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  35. 35Georg Carl von DöbelnGeorg Carl von Döbeln1758–1820 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  36. 36Hedvig Charlotta NordenflychtHedvig Charlotta Nordenflycht1718–1763 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  37. 37Anders ChydeniusAnders Chydenius1729–1803 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics0 decades
  38. 38Anna Maria LenngrenAnna Maria Lenngren1754–1817 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  39. 39Martin van MeytensMartin van Meytens1695–1770 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  40. 40Axel Fredrik CronstedtAxel Fredrik Cronstedt1722–1765 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  41. 41Anders Johan LexellAnders Johan Lexell1740–1784 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  42. 42Johan August SandelsJohan August Sandels1764–1831 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  43. 43GBGeorg Brandt1694–1768 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  44. 44Fredrik Henrik af ChapmanFredrik Henrik af Chapman1721–1808 · 🇸🇪 Sweden0 decades
  45. 45Jonas AlströmerJonas Alströmer1685–1761 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Founders0 decades
  46. 46Johan Gottlieb GahnJohan Gottlieb Gahn1745–1818 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  47. 47Thomas ThorildThomas Thorild1759–1808 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  48. 48Jacob Johan AnckarströmJacob Johan Anckarström1762–1792 · 🇸🇪 Sweden0 decades
  49. 49Carl Gustaf TessinCarl Gustaf Tessin1695–1770 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  50. 50PLPedro Loefling1729–1756 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  51. 51ADAnders Dahl1751–1789 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  52. 52Augustin EhrensvärdAugustin Ehrensvärd1710–1772 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  53. 53Charles De GeerCharles De Geer1720–1778 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Founders0 decades
  54. 54Anders SparrmanAnders Sparrman1748–1820 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  55. 55Erik LaxmanErik Laxman1737–1796 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  56. 56Olof von DalinOlof von Dalin1708–1763 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  57. 57Erik AchariusErik Acharius1757–1819 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  58. 58Johann Gottlieb GeorgiJohann Gottlieb Georgi1729–1802 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  59. 59Carl Alexander ClerckCarl Alexander Clerck1709–1765 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  60. 60Peter ArtediPeter Artedi1705–1735 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  61. 61Leonard GyllenhaalLeonard Gyllenhaal1752–1840 · 🇸🇪 Sweden0 decades
  62. 62Cajsa WargCajsa Warg1703–1769 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Chefs0 decades
  63. 63Carl Johan AdlercreutzCarl Johan Adlercreutz1757–1815 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  64. 64Elisabeth Christina von LinnéElisabeth Christina von Linné1743–1782 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  65. 65Johan Henric KellgrenJohan Henric Kellgren1751–1795 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  66. 66Adam AfzeliusAdam Afzelius1750–1837 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  67. 67Axel von Fersen the ElderAxel von Fersen the Elder1719–1794 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Carl HårlemanCarl Hårleman1700–1753 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Architectsnot measured—
  69. 69Carl Gustaf af LeopoldCarl Gustaf af Leopold1756–1829 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  70. 70Frederick William von HessensteinFrederick William von Hessenstein1735–1808 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Olof CelsiusOlof Celsius1670–1756 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  72. 72Carl Gustaf ArmfeldtCarl Gustaf Armfeldt1666–1733 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  73. 73Nils Rosén von RosensteinNils Rosén von Rosenstein1706–1773 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  74. 74Charles Emil Lewenhaupt the ElderCharles Emil Lewenhaupt the Elder1691–1743 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Peter OsbeckPeter Osbeck1723–1805 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  76. 76Hedvig TaubeHedvig Taube1714–1744 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  77. 77JJJohann Jacob Bach1682–1722 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  78. 78Hans Henric von EssenHans Henric von Essen1755–1824 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  79. 79Olof SwartzOlof Swartz1760–1817 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists1 decades
  80. 80Johan David ÅkerbladJohan David Åkerblad1763–1819 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  81. 81Erik Magnus Staël von HolsteinErik Magnus Staël von Holstein1749–1802 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Christina PiperChristina Piper1673–1752 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Founders0 decades
  83. 83Gustaf LundbergGustaf Lundberg1695–1786 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  84. 84Gustav BadinGustav Badin1747–1822 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  85. 85Curt von StedingkCurt von Stedingk1746–1837 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  86. 86Carl Frederik von BredaCarl Frederik von Breda1759–1818 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  87. 87William ChalmersWilliam Chalmers1748–1811 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Business Professionals14 decades
  88. 88Brigitta ScherzenfeldtBrigitta Scherzenfeldt1684–1736 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Sophie PiperSophie Piper1757–1816 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  90. 90Carl Olof CronstedtCarl Olof Cronstedt1756–1820 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  91. 91Henrik Gabriel PorthanHenrik Gabriel Porthan1739–1804 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  92. 92Carl Axel ArrheniusCarl Axel Arrhenius1757–1824 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  93. 93Johan AgrellJohan Agrell1701–1765 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  94. 94Adolf Ulrik WertmüllerAdolf Ulrik Wertmüller1751–1811 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  95. 95Carl Gustaf PiloCarl Gustaf Pilo1711–1793 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  96. 96Georg AdlersparreGeorg Adlersparre1760–1835 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  97. 97Johan Gustaf RenatJohan Gustaf Renat1682–1744 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  98. 98JPJohan Peter Falk1732–1774 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  99. 99Pehr KalmPehr Kalm1716–1779 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  100. 100Clas AlströmerClas Alströmer1736–1794 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 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.