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. 1Catherine the GreatCatherine the Great1729–1796 · Historical Figures22 decades
  2. 2Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  3. 3Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  4. 4Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  5. 5Frederick the GreatFrederick the Great1712–1786 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  6. 6Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures22 decades
  7. 7Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · Historical Figures21 decades
  8. 8George III of the United KingdomGeorge III of the United Kingdom1738–1820 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  9. 9James CookJames Cook1728–1779 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  10. 10Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures21 decades
  11. 11Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · Historical Figures20 decades
  12. 12Catherine I of RussiaCatherine I of Russia1684–1727 · Historical Figures18 decades
  13. 13Anne, Queen of Great BritainAnne, Queen of Great Britain1665–1714 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  14. 14Joseph II, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph II, Holy Roman Emperor1741–1790 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures22 decades
  15. 15George II of Great BritainGeorge II of Great Britain1683–1760 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  16. 16Qianlong EmperorQianlong Emperor1711–1799 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures3 decades
  17. 17Charles XIV John of SwedenCharles XIV John of Sweden1763–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  18. 18Vitus BeringVitus Bering1681–1741 · Historical Figures0 decades
  19. 19Charles IV of SpainCharles IV of Spain1748–1819 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures17 decades
  20. 20Charles VI, Holy Roman EmperorCharles VI, Holy Roman Emperor1685–1740 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures22 decades
  21. 21Francis I, Holy Roman EmperorFrancis I, Holy Roman Emperor1708–1765 · Historical Figures6 decades
  22. 22BlackbeardBlackbeard1680–1718 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  23. 23Augustus II the StrongAugustus II the Strong1670–1733 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures19 decades
  24. 24Frederick William I of PrussiaFrederick William I of Prussia1688–1740 · Historical Figures22 decades
  25. 25Charles XII of SwedenCharles XII of Sweden1682–1718 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures22 decades
  26. 26Anne BonnyAnne Bonnyborn 1697 · Historical Figures2 decades
  27. 27Charlotte of Mecklenburg-StrelitzCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz1744–1818 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  28. 28Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday1768–1793 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  29. 29Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures22 decades
  30. 30Gebhard Leberecht von BlücherGebhard Leberecht von Blücher1742–1819 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3 decades
  31. 31Frederick William II of PrussiaFrederick William II of Prussia1744–1797 · Historical Figures22 decades
  32. 32Christian VII of DenmarkChristian VII of Denmark1749–1808 · Historical Figures0 decades
  33. 33Charles VII, Holy Roman EmperorCharles VII, Holy Roman Emperor1697–1745 · Historical Figures22 decades
  34. 34Maximilian I Joseph of BavariaMaximilian I Joseph of Bavaria1756–1825 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8 decades
  35. 35Joseph I, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph I, Holy Roman Emperor1678–1711 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures22 decades
  36. 36Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La PérouseJean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse1741–1788 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  37. 37Augustus III of PolandAugustus III of Poland1696–1763 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  38. 38Maria Carolina of AustriaMaria Carolina of Austria1752–1814 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  39. 39Nader ShahNader Shah1688–1747 · Historical Figures4 decades
  40. 40Maria Luisa of ParmaMaria Luisa of Parma1751–1819 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures17 decades
  41. 41Elisabeth FarneseElisabeth Farnese1692–1766 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  42. 42Letizia RamolinoLetizia Ramolino1750–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3 decades
  43. 43Charles XIII of SwedenCharles XIII of Sweden1748–1818 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  44. 44Alexander SelkirkAlexander Selkirk1676–1721 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  45. 45Charles Emmanuel III of SardiniaCharles Emmanuel III of Sardinia1701–1773 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures15 decades
  46. 46Frederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales1707–1751 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  47. 47Jeanne BaretJeanne Baret1740–1807 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  48. 48Adolf Frederick, King of SwedenAdolf Frederick, King of Sweden1710–1771 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures22 decades
  49. 49Frederick V of DenmarkFrederick V of Denmark1723–1766 · Historical Figures0 decades
  50. 50Caroline Matilda of Great BritainCaroline Matilda of Great Britain1751–1775 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  51. 51Vasily TatishchevVasily Tatishchev1686–1750 · Historical Figures16 decades
  52. 52Sophie Dorothee of WürttembergSophie Dorothee of Württemberg1759–1828 · Historical Figures0 decades
  53. 53Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Anna Petrovna of Russia1708–1728 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  54. 54Józef PoniatowskiJózef Poniatowski1763–1813 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  55. 55Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · Historical Figures18 decades
  56. 56Louis Joseph, Dauphin of FranceLouis Joseph, Dauphin of France1781–1789 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  57. 57Maria Josepha of Saxony, Dauphine of FranceMaria Josepha of Saxony, Dauphine of France1731–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  58. 58Mariana Victoria of SpainMariana Victoria of Spain1718–1781 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  59. 59Caroline of AnsbachCaroline of Ansbach1683–1737 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  60. 60Daniel BooneDaniel Boone1734–1820 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures22 decades
  61. 61Maria Josepha of AustriaMaria Josepha of Austria1699–1757 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  62. 62TaksinTaksin1734–1782 · Historical Figures6 decades
  63. 63Ahmad Shah DurraniAhmad Shah Durrani1722–1772 · Historical Figures4 decades
  64. 64George VancouverGeorge Vancouver1757–1798 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures14 decades
  65. 65Sophia Dorothea of HanoverSophia Dorothea of Hanover1687–1757 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  66. 66Frederick I of SwedenFrederick I of Sweden1676–1751 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  67. 67Filippo I, Duke of ParmaFilippo I, Duke of Parma1720–1765 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  68. 68Maria Christina, Duchess of TeschenMaria Christina, Duchess of Teschen1742–1798 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures22 decades
  69. 69Marie Adélaïde of SavoyMarie Adélaïde of Savoy1685–1712 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures16 decades
  70. 70Frederick IV of DenmarkFrederick IV of Denmark1671–1730 · Historical Figures0 decades
  71. 71Christian VI of DenmarkChristian VI of Denmark1699–1746 · Historical Figures0 decades
  72. 72Frederick I of WürttembergFrederick I of Württemberg1754–1816 · Historical Figures8 decades
  73. 73Mary Wortley MontaguMary Wortley Montagu1689–1762 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  74. 74Phutthayotfa ChulalokPhutthayotfa Chulalok1737–1809 · Historical Figures0 decades
  75. 75Gian Gastone de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyGian Gastone de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany1671–1737 · Historical Figures16 decades
  76. 76William V, Prince of OrangeWilliam V, Prince of Orange1748–1806 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  77. 77Princess Augusta of Saxe-GothaPrincess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha1719–1772 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  78. 78Peter III of PortugalPeter III of Portugal1717–1786 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figures0 decades
  79. 79Anne Marie d'OrléansAnne Marie d'Orléans1669–1728 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  80. 80Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of BavariaMaximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria1727–1777 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  81. 81John V of PortugalJohn V of Portugal1689–1750 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figures0 decades
  82. 82Maria Josepha of BavariaMaria Josepha of Bavaria1739–1767 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  83. 83Prince Frederick, Duke of York and AlbanyPrince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany1763–1827 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  84. 84Karl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenKarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1728–1811 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  85. 85MomozonoMomozono1741–1762 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  86. 86Archduchess Maria Anna of AustriaArchduchess Maria Anna of Austria1738–1789 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  87. 87Francis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-SaalfeldFrancis, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld1750–1806 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  88. 88Marie Clotilde of FranceMarie Clotilde of France1759–1802 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures13 decades
  89. 89Anna LeopoldovnaAnna Leopoldovna1718–1746 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  90. 90Élisabeth Charlotte of OrléansÉlisabeth Charlotte of Orléans1676–1744 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  91. 91Georg Wilhelm StellerGeorg Wilhelm Steller1709–1746 · Historical Figures3 decades
  92. 92Marie Joséphine of SavoyMarie Joséphine of Savoy1753–1810 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0 decades
  93. 93Nikolai RezanovNikolai Rezanov1764–1807 · Historical Figures5 decades
  94. 94Anton I of SaxonyAnton I of Saxony1755–1836 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  95. 95Maria Teresa Rafaela of SpainMaria Teresa Rafaela of Spain1726–1746 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  96. 96Archduchess Maria Amalia of AustriaArchduchess Maria Amalia of Austria1746–1804 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  97. 97Gia LongGia Long1762–1820 · Historical Figures7 decades
  98. 98Maria Amalia of AustriaMaria Amalia of Austria1701–1756 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  99. 99Ferdinando I, Duke of ParmaFerdinando I, Duke of Parma1751–1802 · Historical Figures0 decades
  100. 100Carlo Emanuele IV of SardiniaCarlo Emanuele IV of Sardinia1751–1819 · 🇮🇹 Italy · 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.