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. 1Nikola TeslaNikola Tesla1856–1943 · Scientists13 decades
  2. 2Charles DarwinCharles Darwin1809–1882 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists21 decades
  3. 3Thomas EdisonThomas Edison1847–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  4. 4Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · Scientists11 decades
  5. 5Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  6. 6Alfred NobelAlfred Nobel1833–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists13 decades
  7. 7Max PlanckMax Planck1858–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  8. 8Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  9. 9Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · Scientists16 decades
  10. 10Konstantin TsiolkovskyKonstantin Tsiolkovsky1857–1935 · Scientists5 decades
  11. 11Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell1847–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists15 decades
  12. 12Pierre CuriePierre Curie1859–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  13. 13Wilhelm RöntgenWilhelm Röntgen1845–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  14. 14Gregor MendelGregor Mendel1822–1884 · Scientists12 decades
  15. 15Karl BenzKarl Benz1844–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  16. 16Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee1807–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  17. 17Santiago Ramón y CajalSantiago Ramón y Cajal1852–1934 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists13 decades
  18. 18Michael FaradayMichael Faraday1791–1867 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists20 decades
  19. 19James Clerk MaxwellJames Clerk Maxwell1831–1879 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists14 decades
  20. 20André-Marie AmpèreAndré-Marie Ampère1775–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  21. 21Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel1858–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  22. 22Ernst HaeckelErnst Haeckel1834–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists16 decades
  23. 23Heinrich HertzHeinrich Hertz1857–1894 · Scientists13 decades
  24. 24Henri BecquerelHenri Becquerel1852–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  25. 25Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  26. 26Justus von LiebigJustus von Liebig1803–1873 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists17 decades
  27. 27John DaltonJohn Dalton1766–1844 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  28. 28Georg OhmGeorg Ohm1789–1854 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists12 decades
  29. 29Ludwig BoltzmannLudwig Boltzmann1844–1906 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists15 decades
  30. 30Samuel MorseSamuel Morse1791–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0 decades
  31. 31William Thomson, 1st Baron KelvinWilliam Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin1824–1907 · Scientistsnot measured—
  32. 32J. J. ThomsonJ. J. Thomson1856–1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists0 decades
  33. 33Hermann von HelmholtzHermann von Helmholtz1821–1894 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  34. 34Gottlieb DaimlerGottlieb Daimler1834–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  35. 35Ernst MachErnst Mach1838–1916 · Scientists16 decades
  36. 36Hendrik LorentzHendrik Lorentz1853–1928 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Scientists0 decades
  37. 37Georges CuvierGeorges Cuvier1769–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists21 decades
  38. 38Otto LilienthalOtto Lilienthal1848–1896 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  39. 39Nicéphore NiépceNicéphore Niépce1765–1833 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists6 decades
  40. 40Werner von SiemensWerner von Siemens1816–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  41. 41Louis DaguerreLouis Daguerre1787–1851 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  42. 42Nicolas Léonard Sadi CarnotNicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot1796–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  43. 43James Prescott JouleJames Prescott Joule1818–1889 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists3 decades
  44. 44Svante ArrheniusSvante Arrhenius1859–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists6 decades
  45. 45Alexander Stepanovich PopovAlexander Stepanovich Popov1859–1905 · Scientists15 decades
  46. 46Thomas Henry HuxleyThomas Henry Huxley1825–1895 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists16 decades
  47. 47Peter Carl FabergéPeter Carl Fabergé1846–1920 · Scientists3 decades
  48. 48Amedeo AvogadroAmedeo Avogadro1776–1856 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists19 decades
  49. 49Hans Christian ØrstedHans Christian Ørsted1777–1851 · Scientists0 decades
  50. 50Nikolai PirogovNikolai Pirogov1810–1881 · Scientists15 decades
  51. 51Philipp LenardPhilipp Lenard1862–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  52. 52Joseph Louis Gay-LussacJoseph Louis Gay-Lussac1778–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  53. 53Gustav KirchhoffGustav Kirchhoff1824–1887 · Scientists4 decades
  54. 54John MuirJohn Muir1838–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  55. 55Humphry DavyHumphry Davy1778–1829 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  56. 56Jöns Jacob BerzeliusJöns Jacob Berzelius1779–1848 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  57. 57Sergei Prokudin-GorskiiSergei Prokudin-Gorskii1863–1944 · Scientists0 decades
  58. 58Thomas YoungThomas Young1773–1829 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  59. 59George StephensonGeorge Stephenson1781–1848 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  60. 60Samuel ColtSamuel Colt1814–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists18 decades
  61. 61Ferdinand I of BulgariaFerdinand I of Bulgaria1861–1948 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists0 decades
  62. 62Carl ZeissCarl Zeiss1816–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  63. 63Ferdinand von ZeppelinFerdinand von Zeppelin1838–1917 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists5 decades
  64. 64George Washington CarverGeorge Washington Carver1864–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists9 decades
  65. 65Isambard Kingdom BrunelIsambard Kingdom Brunel1806–1859 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists2 decades
  66. 66Élie MetchnikoffÉlie Metchnikoff1845–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  67. 67Frederick Winslow TaylorFrederick Winslow Taylor1856–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists8 decades
  68. 68James NaismithJames Naismith1861–1939 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Scientists3 decades
  69. 69Robert BoschRobert Bosch1861–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  70. 70Antonio MeucciAntonio Meucci1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists14 decades
  71. 71John Stith PembertonJohn Stith Pemberton1831–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  72. 72Robert FultonRobert Fulton1765–1815 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists22 decades
  73. 73Richard TrevithickRichard Trevithick1771–1833 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists19 decades
  74. 74Charles GoodyearCharles Goodyear1800–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  75. 75Isaac SingerIsaac Singer1811–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0 decades
  76. 76George WestinghouseGeorge Westinghouse1846–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists15 decades
  77. 77John Jacob Astor IVJohn Jacob Astor IV1864–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0 decades
  78. 78Richard OwenRichard Owen1804–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists22 decades
  79. 79Charles George GordonCharles George Gordon1833–1885 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists5 decades
  80. 80John BrowningJohn Browning1855–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  81. 81Oliver HeavisideOliver Heaviside1850–1925 · Scientists10 decades
  82. 82Matthew C. PerryMatthew C. Perry1794–1858 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists9 decades
  83. 83George MeadeGeorge Meade1815–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  84. 84SequoyahSequoyah1770–1843 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  85. 85Nikolaus OttoNikolaus Otto1832–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  86. 86Herman HollerithHerman Hollerith1860–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists4 decades
  87. 87Rudolf ClausiusRudolf Clausius1822–1888 · Scientists8 decades
  88. 88Ivan MichurinIvan Michurin1855–1935 · Scientists9 decades
  89. 89August KekuléAugust Kekulé1829–1896 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists4 decades
  90. 90Léon FoucaultLéon Foucault1819–1868 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  91. 91Louis AgassizLouis Agassiz1807–1873 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists16 decades
  92. 92Augustin-Jean FresnelAugustin-Jean Fresnel1788–1827 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  93. 93Josiah Willard GibbsJosiah Willard Gibbs1839–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists5 decades
  94. 94Robert BunsenRobert Bunsen1811–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  95. 95Joseph von FraunhoferJoseph von Fraunhofer1787–1826 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists4 decades
  96. 96Percival LowellPercival Lowell1855–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists14 decades
  97. 97P. G. T. BeauregardP. G. T. Beauregard1818–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientistsnot measured—
  98. 98Wilhelm MaybachWilhelm Maybach1846–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists8 decades
  99. 99Karl DraisKarl Drais1785–1851 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  100. 100Hugo JunkersHugo Junkers1859–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 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.