Claim profile
1800–1899

The 19th century

Whose names filled the books of the 19th century — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in German books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.4
  2. 2Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany8.4
  3. 3Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.4
  4. 4Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.4
  5. 5Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures4.0
  6. 6Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures3.8
  7. 7Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.8
  8. 8Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.8
  9. 9Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.8
  10. 10Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.8
  11. 11Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.8
  12. 12John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.9
  13. 13John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  14. 14John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  15. 15John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  16. 16John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.9
  17. 17John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.9
  18. 18Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.7
  19. 19John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.7
  20. 20HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.5
  21. 21HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.5
  22. 22Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.5
  23. 23Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians1.9
  24. 24Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8
  25. 25Frederick Augustus, Duke of Württemberg-NeuenstadtFrederick Augustus, Duke of Württemberg-Neuenstadt1654–1716 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  26. 26Frederick Augustus, Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-OelsFrederick Augustus, Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Oels1740–1805 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  27. 27Frederick August I, Duke of OldenburgFrederick August I, Duke of Oldenburg1711–1785 · 18th century · Models1.8
  28. 28Frederick Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-ZerbstFrederick Augustus, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst1734–1793 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.8
  29. 29Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  30. 30Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  31. 31Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  32. 32Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  33. 33Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  34. 34HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  35. 35Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  36. 36HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  37. 37HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.6
  38. 38HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.6
  39. 39HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.6
  40. 40Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  41. 41Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  42. 42Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  43. 43Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  44. 44Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.5
  45. 45Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  46. 46Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  47. 47Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  48. 48Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  49. 49Frederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of OldenburgFrederick Augustus II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg1852–1931 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  50. 50Henry III of Nassau-BredaHenry III of Nassau-Breda1483–1538 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  51. 51HIHenry III, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1300–1307 · 14th century · Religious Figures1.4
  52. 52Henry III, Count of SaynHenry III, Count of Sayn1193–1247 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.4
  53. 53Henry III, Landgrave of Upper HesseHenry III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse1440–1483 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.4
  54. 54Henry III, Duke of LimburgHenry III, Duke of Limburg1167–1221 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.4
  55. 55HIHenry III, Duke of Mecklenburg1337–1383 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  56. 56HIHenry III, Duke of Bavaria940–989 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.4
  57. 57HIHenry III, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1416–1464 · 15th century1.4
  58. 58Henry IIIHenry III1215–1288 · 13th century · Writers1.4
  59. 59William IIIWilliam III1425–1482 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  60. 60WIWilliam III, Count of Weimar1000–1039 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  61. 61William III, Landgrave of HesseWilliam III, Landgrave of Hesse1471–1500 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  62. 62ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors1.4
  63. 63Joseph II, Holy Roman EmperorJoseph II, Holy Roman Emperor1741–1790 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures1.3
  64. 64Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.3
  65. 65Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  66. 66Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.3
  67. 67Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  68. 68Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  69. 69Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  70. 70Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.3
  71. 71Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.3
  72. 72Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.3
  73. 73Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.3
  74. 74Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.2
  75. 75Philip II, Margrave of Baden-BadenPhilip II, Margrave of Baden-Baden1559–1588 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.2
  76. 76PIPhilip II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1533–1596 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  77. 77Philip II, Duke of PomeraniaPhilip II, Duke of Pomerania1573–1618 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.2
  78. 78Philip II, Count of Schaumburg-LippePhilip II, Count of Schaumburg-Lippe1723–1787 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.2
  79. 79PIPhilip II, Count of Waldeck1453–1524 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  80. 80PIPhilip II, Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg1462–1504 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  81. 81PIPhilip II, Count of Hanau-Münzenberg1501–1529 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  82. 82WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  83. 83William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  84. 84William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  85. 85William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.1
  86. 86Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  87. 87William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.1
  88. 88William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  89. 89William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  90. 90William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century1.1
  91. 91Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  92. 92Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  93. 93Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.0
  94. 94Ferdinand I of RomaniaFerdinand I of Romania1865–1927 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  95. 95Ferdinand II of PortugalFerdinand II of Portugal1816–1885 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures1.0
  96. 96Ferdinand II, Holy Roman EmperorFerdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor1578–1637 · 17th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures1.0
  97. 97Ferdinand II, Archduke of AustriaFerdinand II, Archduke of Austria1529–1595 · 16th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures1.0
  98. 98Hans SachsHans Sachs1494–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.99
  99. 99Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.99
  100. 100Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.95

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 19th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇹 Austria🇹🇷 Turkey🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllPoliticiansWritersHistorical FiguresScientistsAcademicsArtistsMusiciansDoctorsFoundersJournalists
  1. 1Kikunae IkedaKikunae Ikeda1864–1936 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientists0 decades
  2. 2Tomitaro MakinoTomitaro Makino1862–1957 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  3. 3Tanaka HisashigeTanaka Hisashige1799–1881 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  4. 4Takamine JōkichiTakamine Jōkichi1854–1922 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  5. 5Arisaka NariakiraArisaka Nariakira1852–1915 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  6. 6Nagai NagayoshiNagai Nagayoshi1844–1929 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  7. 7Aikitu TanakadateAikitu Tanakadate1856–1952 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  8. 8Itō KeisukeItō Keisuke1803–1901 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  9. 9Kunitomo IkkansaiKunitomo Ikkansai1778–1840 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  10. 10Udagawa YōanUdagawa Yōan1798–1846 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  11. 11Tanaka YoshioTanaka Yoshio1838–1916 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  12. 12Yamakawa KenjirōYamakawa Kenjirō1854–1931 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  13. 13Ryōkichi YatabeRyōkichi Yatabe1851–1899 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  14. 14Kingo MiyabeKingo Miyabe1860–1951 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  15. 15Iinuma YokusaiIinuma Yokusai1782–1865 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  16. 16Hirase SakugorōHirase Sakugorō1856–1925 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  17. 17SKSatori Kato1847–1902 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  18. 18STShohé Tanaka1862–1945 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  19. 19Mitsutaro ShiraiMitsutaro Shirai1863–1932 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  20. 20Shimose MasachikaShimose Masachika1860–1911 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  21. 21Hokkai TakashimaHokkai Takashima1850–1931 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  22. 22Kotō BunjirōKotō Bunjirō1856–1935 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  23. 23Miyoshi ManabuMiyoshi Manabu1862–1939 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  24. 24Sekiya SeikeiSekiya Seikei1855–1896 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot measured—
  25. 25Iwasaki TsunemasaIwasaki Tsunemasa1786–1842 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Scientistsnot 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.