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 English books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures94
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers15
  3. 3CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  4. 4AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  5. 5PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics10
  6. 6VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers9.6
  7. 7AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.4
  8. 8SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.4
  9. 9HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers6.2
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures5.9
  11. 11Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures5.9
  12. 12Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians5.9
  13. 13PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics5.6
  14. 14OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.2
  15. 15StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.1
  16. 16CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures3.9
  17. 17DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.8
  18. 18Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.6
  19. 19Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.5
  20. 20HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.5
  21. 21Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.5
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.5
  23. 23Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.5
  24. 24HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.5
  25. 25LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.4
  26. 26OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics3.1
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures3.0
  28. 28XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.0
  29. 29Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.0
  30. 30Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.8
  31. 31Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.8
  32. 32Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  33. 33Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.8
  34. 34Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.8
  35. 35Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.8
  36. 36Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.8
  37. 37HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.8
  38. 38TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics2.7
  39. 39James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.6
  40. 40Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians2.6
  41. 41Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.6
  42. 42PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.5
  43. 43Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.5
  44. 44Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.5
  45. 45HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.5
  46. 46John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians2.4
  47. 47EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.4
  48. 48John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.4
  49. 49Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  50. 50Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  51. 51Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.3
  52. 52Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.3
  53. 53Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  54. 54Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  55. 55Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.3
  56. 56Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.3
  57. 57Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.3
  58. 58Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.3
  59. 59HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.3
  60. 60Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.3
  61. 61OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.3
  62. 62TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.3
  63. 63BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.3
  64. 64SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.2
  65. 65EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.2
  66. 66ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.1
  67. 67PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  68. 68PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.0
  69. 69Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.9
  70. 70Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.9
  71. 71SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.9
  72. 72John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.8
  73. 73VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.8
  74. 74AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.8
  75. 75William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.7
  76. 76Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.7
  77. 77Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.7
  78. 78HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors1.7
  79. 79AlcibiadesAlcibiades450 BC–404 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.6
  80. 80AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models1.6
  81. 81Isaac NewtonIsaac Newton1642–1727 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.6
  82. 82WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.6
  83. 83WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  84. 84WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  85. 85William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.6
  86. 86William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  87. 87WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  88. 88WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.6
  89. 89John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.6
  90. 90George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.6
  91. 91George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.6
  92. 92George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.6
  93. 93PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  94. 94GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.5
  95. 95HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  96. 96LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  97. 97LucanLucan39–65 · 1st century · Writers1.4
  98. 98William JonesWilliam Jones1746–1794 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.4
  99. 99William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.4

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. 1Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · Writers18 decades
  2. 2Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · Writers21 decades
  3. 3Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · Writers17 decades
  5. 5Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · Writers15 decades
  6. 6Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud1856–1939 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers12 decades
  7. 7Jane AustenJane Austen1775–1817 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  8. 8Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  9. 9Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  10. 10Oscar WildeOscar Wilde1854–1900 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  11. 11Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · Writers19 decades
  12. 12Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe1809–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  13. 13Émile ZolaÉmile Zola1840–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  14. 14Honoré de BalzacHonoré de Balzac1799–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  15. 15Charles DickensCharles Dickens1812–1870 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers20 decades
  16. 16George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  17. 17Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant1850–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  18. 18Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  19. 19Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  20. 20Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  21. 21Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  22. 22Mikhail LermontovMikhail Lermontov1814–1841 · Writers15 decades
  23. 23Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen1805–1875 · Writers18 decades
  24. 24Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers22 decades
  25. 25Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · Writers13 decades
  26. 26Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  27. 27Arthur Conan DoyleArthur Conan Doyle1859–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  28. 28Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers14 decades
  29. 29Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson1850–1894 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers15 decades
  30. 30Mary ShelleyMary Shelley1797–1851 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  31. 31Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  32. 32Florence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale1820–1910 · Writers17 decades
  33. 33StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  34. 34Emily BrontëEmily Brontë1818–1848 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  35. 35Bertha von SuttnerBertha von Suttner1843–1914 · Writers13 decades
  36. 36Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau1817–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  37. 37Paul VerlainePaul Verlaine1844–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  38. 38Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers22 decades
  39. 39Lewis CarrollLewis Carroll1832–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  40. 40George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw1856–1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  41. 41José MartíJosé Martí1853–1895 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers16 decades
  42. 42Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  43. 43Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  44. 44Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers17 decades
  45. 45Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman1821–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  46. 46Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-PowellRobert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell1857–1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  47. 47Charlotte BrontëCharlotte Brontë1816–1855 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers17 decades
  48. 48Rudolf SteinerRudolf Steiner1861–1925 · Writers14 decades
  49. 49Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · Writers13 decades
  50. 50Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson1830–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  51. 51François-René de ChateaubriandFrançois-René de Chateaubriand1768–1848 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  52. 52Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville1805–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  53. 53Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  54. 54Carl von ClausewitzCarl von Clausewitz1780–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  55. 55Alphonse de LamartineAlphonse de Lamartine1790–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  56. 56Nikolay NekrasovNikolay Nekrasov1821–1877 · Writers13 decades
  57. 57E. T. A. HoffmannE. T. A. Hoffmann1776–1822 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  58. 58Henrik IbsenHenrik Ibsen1828–1906 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Writers14 decades
  59. 59NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  60. 60Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  61. 61Joseph ConradJoseph Conrad1857–1924 · Writers14 decades
  62. 62Selma LagerlöfSelma Lagerlöf1858–1940 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers7 decades
  63. 63Fyodor TyutchevFyodor Tyutchev1803–1873 · Writers11 decades
  64. 64Ivan KrylovIvan Krylov1769–1844 · Writers18 decades
  65. 65Germaine de StaëlGermaine de Staël1766–1817 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  66. 66Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore1861–1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers11 decades
  67. 67Heinrich von KleistHeinrich von Kleist1777–1811 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  68. 68Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  69. 69Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  70. 70Herman MelvilleHerman Melville1819–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  71. 71Friedrich HölderlinFriedrich Hölderlin1770–1843 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  72. 72Gustavo Adolfo BécquerGustavo Adolfo Bécquer1836–1870 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers13 decades
  73. 73Bram StokerBram Stoker1847–1912 · Writers12 decades
  74. 74Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  75. 75Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  76. 76Knut HamsunKnut Hamsun1859–1952 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Writers10 decades
  77. 77Alexander HerzenAlexander Herzen1812–1870 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers16 decades
  78. 78Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley1792–1822 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers21 decades
  79. 79Ivan TurgenevIvan Turgenev1818–1883 · Writers6 decades
  80. 80Nikolay KaramzinNikolay Karamzin1766–1826 · Writers20 decades
  81. 81Ivan GoncharovIvan Goncharov1812–1891 · Writers17 decades
  82. 82Theodor FontaneTheodor Fontane1819–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  83. 83Octave MirbeauOctave Mirbeau1848–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  84. 84Prosper MériméeProsper Mérimée1803–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  85. 85Frédéric MistralFrédéric Mistral1830–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  86. 86Mikhail Saltykov-ShchedrinMikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin1826–1889 · Writers10 decades
  87. 87Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · Writers22 decades
  88. 88Benito Pérez GaldósBenito Pérez Galdós1843–1920 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  89. 89Karl MayKarl May1842–1912 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  90. 90George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  91. 91Arthur SchnitzlerArthur Schnitzler1862–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers14 decades
  92. 92Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  93. 93Louise MichelLouise Michel1830–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  94. 94August StrindbergAugust Strindberg1849–1912 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers8 decades
  95. 95Georg BüchnerGeorg Büchner1813–1837 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  96. 96John KeatsJohn Keats1795–1821 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers21 decades
  97. 97Carlo CollodiCarlo Collodi1826–1890 · Writers8 decades
  98. 98Vasily ZhukovskyVasily Zhukovsky1783–1852 · Writers16 decades
  99. 99Nikolay ChernyshevskyNikolay Chernyshevsky1828–1889 · Writers11 decades
  100. 100Maurice MaeterlinckMaurice Maeterlinck1862–1949 · Writers13 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.