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. 1Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics22 decades
  2. 2Leonhard EulerLeonhard Euler1707–1783 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics22 decades
  3. 3Johann Heinrich PestalozziJohann Heinrich Pestalozzi1746–1827 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Educators2 decades
  4. 4Daniel BernoulliDaniel Bernoulli1700–1782 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics22 decades
  5. 5Jacques NeckerJacques Necker1732–1804 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians15 decades
  6. 6Angelica KauffmanAngelica Kauffman1741–1807 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists18 decades
  7. 7Johann BernoulliJohann Bernoulli1667–1748 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics22 decades
  8. 8Henry FuseliHenry Fuseli1741–1825 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists10 decades
  9. 9Johann Kaspar LavaterJohann Kaspar Lavater1741–1801 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers17 decades
  10. 10Albrecht von HallerAlbrecht von Haller1708–1777 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers22 decades
  11. 11Anna GöldiAnna Göldi1734–1782 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland2 decades
  12. 12Jean-Étienne LiotardJean-Étienne Liotard1702–1789 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists0 decades
  13. 13Suzanne CurchodSuzanne Curchod1737–1794 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers13 decades
  14. 14Domenico TrezziniDomenico Trezzini1670–1734 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects2 decades
  15. 15Anton GraffAnton Graff1736–1813 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists17 decades
  16. 16Johann David WyssJohann David Wyss1743–1818 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers0 decades
  17. 17Françoise-Louise de WarensFrançoise-Louise de Warens1699–1762 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland0 decades
  18. 18Johann EulerJohann Euler1734–1800 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0 decades
  19. 19Salomon GessnerSalomon Gessner1730–1788 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers22 decades
  20. 20Nicolaus II BernoulliNicolaus II Bernoulli1695–1726 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics7 decades
  21. 21Nicolaus I BernoulliNicolaus I Bernoulli1687–1759 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0 decades
  22. 22Mary MoserMary Moser1744–1819 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists1 decades
  23. 23Samuel-Auguste TissotSamuel-Auguste Tissot1728–1797 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors0 decades
  24. 24Frédéric-César de La HarpeFrédéric-César de La Harpe1754–1838 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politiciansnot measured—
  25. 25Johann Jakob ScheuchzerJohann Jakob Scheuchzer1672–1733 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists10 decades
  26. 26Johannes von MüllerJohannes von Müller1752–1809 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers22 decades
  27. 27Theodor von RedingTheodor von Reding1755–1809 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland13 decades
  28. 28Johann Georg SulzerJohann Georg Sulzer1720–1779 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Actors15 decades
  29. 29Nicolas FussNicolas Fuss1755–1826 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1 decades
  30. 30Jean-Philippe de CheseauxJean-Philippe de Cheseaux1718–1751 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  31. 31Johann III BernoulliJohann III Bernoulli1744–1807 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0 decades
  32. 32Johann Georg von ZimmermannJohann Georg von Zimmermann1728–1795 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists17 decades
  33. 33JFJakob Friedrich Ehrhart1742–1795 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  34. 34Johann Gaudenz von Salis-SeewisJohann Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis1762–1834 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  35. 35Friedrich Freiherr von HotzeFriedrich Freiherr von Hotze1739–1799 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  36. 36Jakob HermannJakob Hermann1678–1733 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0 decades
  37. 37Jean-Xavier LefèvreJean-Xavier Lefèvre1763–1829 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Musiciansnot measured—
  38. 38Johann Caspar FüssliJohann Caspar Füssli1706–1782 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists2 decades
  39. 39Pierre Victor, baron de Besenval de BrünstattPierre Victor, baron de Besenval de Brünstatt1721–1791 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  40. 40Karl Josef von BachmannKarl Josef von Bachmann1734–1792 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  41. 41Jean Daniel Abraham DavelJean Daniel Abraham Davel1670–1723 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  42. 42Caspar WolfCaspar Wolf1735–1783 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  43. 43LRLuigi Rusca1762–1822 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architectsnot measured—
  44. 44JJJohann Jakob Wettstein1693–1754 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Actors0 decades
  45. 45Johann Jakob BreitingerJohann Jakob Breitinger1701–1776 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers9 decades
  46. 46Johann Heinrich MeyerJohann Heinrich Meyer1760–1832 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  47. 47KWKarl Weber1712–1764 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics16 decades
  48. 48Isabelle de MontolieuIsabelle de Montolieu1751–1832 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers4 decades
  49. 49Johann Kaspar FüssliJohann Kaspar Füssli1743–1786 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Isaak IselinIsaak Iselin1728–1782 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academicsnot measured—
  51. 51Peter OchsPeter Ochs1752–1821 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians13 decades
  52. 52Amédée Emmanuel Francois LaharpeAmédée Emmanuel Francois Laharpe1754–1796 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  53. 53Frederick HaldimandFrederick Haldimand1718–1791 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  54. 54Anna WaserAnna Waser1678–1714 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists0 decades
  55. 55Daniel Albert WyttenbachDaniel Albert Wyttenbach1746–1820 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0 decades
  56. 56Jakob Emanuel HandmannJakob Emanuel Handmann1718–1781 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  57. 57Abraham-Louis PerreletAbraham-Louis Perrelet1728–1826 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  58. 58Simone CantoniSimone Cantoni1739–1818 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architectsnot measured—
  59. 59Pietro Antonio TrezziniPietro Antonio Trezzini1692–1760 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architectsnot measured—
  60. 60Henry BouquetHenry Bouquet1719–1765 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  61. 61Franz Anton BustelliFranz Anton Bustelli1723–1763 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  62. 62Johann Ludwig AberliJohann Ludwig Aberli1723–1786 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists0 decades
  63. 63Johann Rudolf HuberJohann Rudolf Huber1668–1748 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists0 decades
  64. 64Niklaus Franz von BachmannNiklaus Franz von Bachmann1740–1831 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  65. 65Ulrich BräkerUlrich Bräker1735–1798 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Adrian ZinggAdrian Zingg1734–1816 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  67. 67Jean-Pierre Saint-OursJean-Pierre Saint-Ours1752–1809 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  68. 68Johann AmmanJohann Amman1707–1741 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists0 decades
  69. 69Giovanni Maria FontanaGiovanni Maria Fontana1670–1712 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architectsnot measured—
  70. 70Giocondo AlbertolliGiocondo Albertolli1742–1839 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architectsnot measured—
  71. 71Charles Victor de BonstettenCharles Victor de Bonstetten1745–1832 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politiciansnot measured—
  72. 72Henri de CattHenri de Catt1725–1795 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Pierre PrevostPierre Prevost1751–1839 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists14 decades
  74. 74Johann Konrad AmmannJohann Konrad Ammann1669–1724 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctorsnot measured—
  75. 75Johannes GessnerJohannes Gessner1709–1790 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists9 decades
  76. 76Julie BondeliJulie Bondeli1732–1778 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77John James HeideggerJohn James Heidegger1666–1749 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Directorsnot measured—
  78. 78Anna Barbara ReinhartAnna Barbara Reinhart1730–1796 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academicsnot measured—
  79. 79Johann Jacob RoemerJohann Jacob Roemer1763–1819 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists1 decades
  80. 80Placidus a SpeschaPlacidus a Spescha1752–1833 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Ludwig von FlüeLudwig von Flüe1752–1817 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  82. 82GGGeorg Gsell1673–1740 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  83. 83Sigmund FreudenbergerSigmund Freudenberger1745–1801 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Fortunato de Felice, 2nd Count PanzuttiFortunato de Felice, 2nd Count Panzutti1723–1789 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Jean MaritzJean Maritz1680–1743 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  86. 86Marianne EhrmannMarianne Ehrmann1755–1795 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Journalistsnot measured—
  87. 87Antoine PolierAntoine Polier1741–1795 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  88. 88Lorenz SpenglerLorenz Spengler1720–1807 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists0 decades
  89. 89Johann Rudolph SchellenbergJohann Rudolph Schellenberg1740–1806 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists4 decades
  90. 90Luigi CanonicaLuigi Canonica1764–1844 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architectsnot measured—
  91. 91Jean Nicolas Sébastien AllamandJean Nicolas Sébastien Allamand1713–1787 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  92. 92DEDurs Egg1748–1831 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  93. 93SESamuel Elisée Bridel-Brideri1762–1828 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientistsnot measured—
  94. 94Christian von MechelChristian von Mechel1737–1817 · 🇨🇭 Switzerlandnot measured—
  95. 95Marie Marguerite Carraux de RosemondMarie Marguerite Carraux de Rosemond1765–1788 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  96. 96Anna Pestalozzi-SchulthessAnna Pestalozzi-Schulthess1738–1815 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Educatorsnot measured—
  97. 97Benjamin Samuel BolomeyBenjamin Samuel Bolomey1739–1819 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98David MorierDavid Morier1705–1770 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  99. 99Johann Gottfried EbelJohann Gottfried Ebel1764–1830 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Karl Ludwig von ErlachKarl Ludwig von Erlach1746–1798 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politiciansnot 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.