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

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal5.8
  2. 2Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.3
  3. 3Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers4.5
  4. 4John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians4.2
  5. 5Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.3
  6. 6Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.3
  7. 7John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.1
  8. 8Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.0
  9. 9Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.9
  10. 10Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.7
  11. 11Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.6
  12. 12Ambrosio de MoralesAmbrosio de Morales1513–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.5
  13. 13Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  14. 14Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.5
  15. 15Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.4
  16. 16Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  17. 17Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.3
  18. 18RecceswinthRecceswinthdied 672 · 7th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.2
  19. 19WittizaWittiza686–710 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.2
  20. 20Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.2
  21. 21Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.1
  22. 22Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.0
  23. 23Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.00
  24. 24Juan López de PadillaJuan López de Padilla1490–1521 · 16th century · Activists0.90
  25. 25Gonzalo de SandovalGonzalo de Sandoval1497–1528 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.86
  26. 26Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.82
  27. 27Juan de HerreraJuan de Herrera1530–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects0.82
  28. 28Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.81
  29. 29Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.80
  30. 30Antonio Cánovas del CastilloAntonio Cánovas del Castillo1828–1897 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.80
  31. 31Anna of Austria, Queen of SpainAnna of Austria, Queen of Spain1549–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.77
  32. 32Manuel GodoyManuel Godoy1767–1851 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.76
  33. 33Melchor CanoMelchor Cano1509–1560 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.76
  34. 34Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.75
  35. 35Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.75
  36. 36Francisco PachecoFrancisco Pacheco1564–1644 · 16th century · Artists0.74
  37. 37Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.70
  38. 38Rodrigo de QuirogaRodrigo de Quiroga1512–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.69
  39. 39Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.68
  40. 40Juan BravoJuan Bravo1483–1521 · 16th century · Politicians0.63
  41. 41Rodrigo CaroRodrigo Caro1573–1647 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.63
  42. 42Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.62
  43. 43Práxedes Mateo SagastaPráxedes Mateo Sagasta1825–1903 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.61
  44. 44Alonso de AlvaradoAlonso de Alvarado1500–1556 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.57
  45. 45Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.56
  46. 46JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.56
  47. 47Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.54
  48. 48Francisco VerdugoFrancisco Verdugo1537–1595 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.53
  49. 49Alonso CanoAlonso Cano1601–1667 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.52
  50. 50Juan de MarianaJuan de Mariana1536–1624 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.52
  51. 51Francisco de VillagraFrancisco de Villagra1511–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.50
  52. 52Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.48
  53. 53Thomas of VillanovaThomas of Villanova1488–1555 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.47
  54. 54Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto1500–1542 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.46
  55. 55Isidore of SevilleIsidore of Seville560–636 · 6th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.46
  56. 56SampiroSampiro956–1041 · 10th century · Politicians0.44
  57. 57Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians0.44
  58. 58Diego de OrdazDiego de Ordaz1480–1532 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.43
  59. 59John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.42
  60. 60Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.41
  61. 61Emilio CastelarEmilio Castelar1832–1899 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.41
  62. 62Ángel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of RivasÁngel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of Rivas1791–1865 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.40
  63. 63Juan de RiberaJuan de Ribera1532–1611 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.39
  64. 64Antonio de UlloaAntonio de Ulloa1716–1795 · 18th century · Writers0.39
  65. 65Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians0.38
  66. 66Juan de CastroJuan de Castro1431–1506 · 15th century0.38
  67. 67Leopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of TetuanLeopoldo O'Donnell, 1st Duke of Tetuan1809–1867 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.38
  68. 68Gaspar Melchor de JovellanosGaspar Melchor de Jovellanos1744–1811 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.38
  69. 69Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.37
  70. 70María de PadillaMaría de Padilla1334–1361 · 14th century0.37
  71. 71Elisabeth FarneseElisabeth Farnese1692–1766 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.36
  72. 72Emilia Pardo BazánEmilia Pardo Bazán1851–1921 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.36
  73. 73Juan de GrijalvaJuan de Grijalva1490–1527 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.36
  74. 74Francisco de CarvajalFrancisco de Carvajal1464–1548 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.36
  75. 75Fernando de HerreraFernando de Herrera1534–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.35
  76. 76AlfonsoAlfonso1453–1468 · 15th century · Politicians0.34
  77. 77HDHernando del Pulgar1436–1492 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.34
  78. 78Vicente GuerreroVicente Guerrero1782–1831 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.34
  79. 79Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century0.34
  80. 80Juan de la CosaJuan de la Cosa1450–1510 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.34
  81. 81Alexander Farnese, Duke of ParmaAlexander Farnese, Duke of Parma1545–1592 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.34
  82. 82Alonso de ErcillaAlonso de Ercilla1533–1595 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.33
  83. 83Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.33
  84. 84Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.33
  85. 85Luis de GóngoraLuis de Góngora1561–1627 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.32
  86. 86Michael de SanctisMichael de Sanctis1591–1625 · 17th century · Religious Figures0.32
  87. 87Francisco de Montejo y LeónFrancisco de Montejo y León1479–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.31
  88. 88Bernardino de MendozaBernardino de Mendoza1540–1604 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.30
  89. 89Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.30
  90. 90Gil VicenteGil Vicente1465–1536 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Writers0.30
  91. 91Manuel José QuintanaManuel José Quintana1772–1857 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.30
  92. 92Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.30
  93. 93Isabella of Castile, Queen of AragonIsabella of Castile, Queen of Aragon1283–1328 · 14th century0.29
  94. 94Pedro TenorioPedro Tenorio1328–1399 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.29
  95. 95Luis de GranadaLuis de Granada1504–1588 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.28
  96. 96Pedro de VillagraPedro de Villagra1513–1577 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.28
  97. 97EurosiaEurosia864–880 · 9th century0.28
  98. 98Juan de OrtegaJuan de Ortega1480–1568 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.28
  99. 99Manuel OribeManuel Oribe1792–1857 · 19th century · Politicians0.28
  100. 100Antonio de NebrijaAntonio de Nebrija1444–1522 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.28

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. 1NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  2. 2Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  3. 3Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  5. 5Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin1810–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  6. 6Émile ZolaÉmile Zola1840–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  7. 7Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors15 decades
  8. 8Honoré de BalzacHonoré de Balzac1799–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  9. 9Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  10. 10George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  11. 11Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant1850–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  12. 12Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  13. 13Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  14. 14Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  15. 15Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  16. 16Paul CézannePaul Cézanne1839–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  17. 17Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  18. 18Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  19. 19Paul GauguinPaul Gauguin1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  20. 20StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  21. 21Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain1856–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  22. 22Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  23. 23Pierre-Auguste RenoirPierre-Auguste Renoir1841–1919 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  24. 24Claude DebussyClaude Debussy1862–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  25. 25Georges ClemenceauGeorges Clemenceau1841–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  26. 26Paul VerlainePaul Verlaine1844–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  27. 27Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  28. 28Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists20 decades
  29. 29Pierre CuriePierre Curie1859–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  30. 30Louis Philippe ILouis Philippe I1773–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Models19 decades
  31. 31Auguste RodinAuguste Rodin1840–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  32. 32Henri de Toulouse-LautrecHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec1864–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  33. 33Henri BergsonHenri Bergson1859–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  34. 34François-René de ChateaubriandFrançois-René de Chateaubriand1768–1848 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  35. 35Édouard ManetÉdouard Manet1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists15 decades
  36. 36Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville1805–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  37. 37Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  38. 38Alphonse de LamartineAlphonse de Lamartine1790–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  39. 39Émile DurkheimÉmile Durkheim1858–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  40. 40Thérèse of LisieuxThérèse of Lisieux1873–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics10 decades
  41. 41Hector BerliozHector Berlioz1803–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians19 decades
  42. 42Napoleon IINapoleon II1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers21 decades
  43. 43Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  44. 44Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  45. 45Georges BizetGeorges Bizet1838–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  46. 46Pierre de CoubertinPierre de Coubertin1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Educators14 decades
  47. 47Germaine de StaëlGermaine de Staël1766–1817 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  48. 48Henri PoincaréHenri Poincaré1854–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  49. 49Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresJean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres1780–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Adolphe ThiersAdolphe Thiers1797–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  51. 51Jacques OffenbachJacques Offenbach1819–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  52. 52Edgar DegasEdgar Degas1834–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  53. 53Alfred DreyfusAlfred Dreyfus1859–1935 · 🇫🇷 France13 decades
  54. 54Gustave CourbetGustave Courbet1819–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  55. 55Pierre-Joseph ProudhonPierre-Joseph Proudhon1809–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  56. 56Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics22 decades
  57. 57Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  58. 58Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  59. 59Jean-François ChampollionJean-François Champollion1790–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  60. 60Camille Saint-SaënsCamille Saint-Saëns1835–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  61. 61Joachim MuratJoachim Murat1767–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  62. 62Octave MirbeauOctave Mirbeau1848–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  63. 63Ferdinand FochFerdinand Foch1851–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7 decades
  64. 64Prosper MériméeProsper Mérimée1803–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  65. 65Frédéric MistralFrédéric Mistral1830–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  66. 66André-Marie AmpèreAndré-Marie Ampère1775–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  67. 67Évariste GaloisÉvariste Galois1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  68. 68Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  69. 69Patrice de MacMahonPatrice de MacMahon1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  70. 70Camille PissarroCamille Pissarro1830–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  71. 71Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel1858–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  72. 72Bernadette SoubirousBernadette Soubirous1844–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures15 decades
  73. 73Louise MichelLouise Michel1830–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  74. 74Joseph FourierJoseph Fourier1768–1830 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  75. 75Henri BecquerelHenri Becquerel1852–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  76. 76Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics17 decades
  77. 77Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  78. 78Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  79. 79Stéphane MallarméStéphane Mallarmé1842–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  80. 80Georges MélièsGeorges Méliès1861–1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors9 decades
  81. 81Berthe MorisotBerthe Morisot1841–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  82. 82Henri RousseauHenri Rousseau1844–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  83. 83Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers18 decades
  84. 84Gustave DoréGustave Doré1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists17 decades
  85. 85Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  86. 86Georges SeuratGeorges Seurat1859–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  87. 87Gustave Le BonGustave Le Bon1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  88. 88Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  89. 89Ludwig I of BavariaLudwig I of Bavaria1786–1868 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  90. 90Georges-Eugène HaussmannGeorges-Eugène Haussmann1809–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  91. 91Sadi CarnotSadi Carnot1837–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians16 decades
  92. 92Sophie GermainSophie Germain1776–1831 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics18 decades
  93. 93Jules MicheletJules Michelet1798–1874 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  94. 94Charles GounodCharles Gounod1818–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians17 decades
  95. 95Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  96. 96Eugène Viollet-le-DucEugène Viollet-le-Duc1814–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Architectsnot measured—
  97. 97Vilfredo ParetoVilfredo Pareto1848–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  98. 98Théodore GéricaultThéodore Géricault1791–1824 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  99. 99Georges CuvierGeorges Cuvier1769–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists21 decades
  100. 100Gabriel FauréGabriel Fauré1845–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 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.