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. 1Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe1809–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  2. 2Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  3. 3Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau1817–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  4. 4Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman1821–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  5. 5Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson1830–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  6. 6Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  7. 7Herman MelvilleHerman Melville1819–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  8. 8Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  9. 9Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott1832–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  10. 10Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass1818–1895 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  11. 11Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne1804–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers19 decades
  12. 12Harriet Beecher StoweHarriet Beecher Stowe1811–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  13. 13James Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore Cooper1789–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  14. 14Edith WhartonEdith Wharton1862–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  15. 15Washington IrvingWashington Irving1783–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers22 decades
  16. 16Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow1807–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  17. 17Buffalo BillBuffalo Bill1846–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  18. 18Susan B. AnthonySusan B. Anthony1820–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  19. 19L. Frank BaumL. Frank Baum1856–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  20. 20Sojourner TruthSojourner Truth1797–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  21. 21William Tecumseh ShermanWilliam Tecumseh Sherman1820–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  22. 22Frances Hodgson BurnettFrances Hodgson Burnett1849–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  23. 23O. HenryO. Henry1862–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  24. 24Ellen G. WhiteEllen G. White1827–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  25. 25Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell1852–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  26. 26Charlotte Perkins GilmanCharlotte Perkins Gilman1860–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  27. 27Elizabeth Cady StantonElizabeth Cady Stanton1815–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  28. 28Kate ChopinKate Chopin1850–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  29. 29Mary Baker EddyMary Baker Eddy1821–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  30. 30Margaret FullerMargaret Fuller1810–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  31. 31Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.1809–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers19 decades
  32. 32Clara BartonClara Barton1821–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  33. 33Francis Scott KeyFrancis Scott Key1779–1843 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  34. 34Alfred Thayer MaanAlfred Thayer Maan1840–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  35. 35Albert PikeAlbert Pike1809–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  36. 36Jeanette JeromeJeanette Jerome1854–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  37. 37Louisa AdamsLouisa Adams1775–1852 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  38. 38Julia Ward HoweJulia Ward Howe1819–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  39. 39Elbert Green HubbardElbert Green Hubbard1856–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  40. 40Charles J. GuiteauCharles J. Guiteau1841–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1 decades
  41. 41Emma LazarusEmma Lazarus1849–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  42. 42Elizabeth Ann SetonElizabeth Ann Seton1774–1821 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers2 decades
  43. 43Ernest Thompson SetonErnest Thompson Seton1860–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers12 decades
  44. 44Lucretia MottLucretia Mott1793–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  45. 45Dolley MadisonDolley Madison1768–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  46. 46Thomas Mayne ReidThomas Mayne Reid1818–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  47. 47Bret HarteBret Harte1836–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  48. 48Dorothea DixDorothea Dix1802–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  49. 49Horatio AlgerHoratio Alger1832–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  50. 50A. E. WaiteA. E. Waite1857–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers2 decades
  51. 51Carrie NationCarrie Nation1846–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  52. 52George DeweyGeorge Dewey1837–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  53. 53John Greenleaf WhittierJohn Greenleaf Whittier1807–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  54. 54Harriet JacobsHarriet Jacobs1815–1897 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  55. 55William Cullen BryantWilliam Cullen Bryant1794–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers20 decades
  56. 56James Russell LowellJames Russell Lowell1819–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  57. 57Allan PinkertonAllan Pinkerton1819–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  58. 58Edward BellamyEdward Bellamy1850–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  59. 59Virginia Eliza Clemm PoeVirginia Eliza Clemm Poe1822–1847 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Frederick Jackson TurnerFrederick Jackson Turner1861–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers12 decades
  61. 61Henry Steel OlcottHenry Steel Olcott1832–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  62. 62Joshua SlocumJoshua Slocum1844–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  63. 63Charles Grandison FinneyCharles Grandison Finney1792–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  64. 64Oliver Otis HowardOliver Otis Howard1830–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  65. 65Sylvester GrahamSylvester Graham1794–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  66. 66Juliette Gordon LowJuliette Gordon Low1860–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  67. 67Katharine Lee BatesKatharine Lee Bates1859–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  68. 68William Dean HowellsWilliam Dean Howells1837–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  69. 69Mirabeau B. LamarMirabeau B. Lamar1798–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  70. 70Archibald Gracie IVArchibald Gracie IV1859–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71William Hickling PrescottWilliam Hickling Prescott1796–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  72. 72Frederick Russell BurnhamFrederick Russell Burnham1861–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  73. 73Anna J. CooperAnna J. Cooper1858–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  74. 74Naftali Herz ImberNaftali Herz Imber1856–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 decades
  75. 75Wilhelm WeitlingWilhelm Weitling1808–1871 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  76. 76Varina DavisVarina Davis1826–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Henrietta SzoldHenrietta Szold1860–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  78. 78Lydia Maria ChildLydia Maria Child1802–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  79. 79Ella Wheeler WilcoxElla Wheeler Wilcox1850–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  80. 80Sarah Josepha HaleSarah Josepha Hale1788–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  81. 81Frances Ellen Watkins HarperFrances Ellen Watkins Harper1825–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  82. 82Andrew Dickson WhiteAndrew Dickson White1832–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  83. 83George Washington WilliamsGeorge Washington Williams1849–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Frances WillardFrances Willard1839–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  85. 85Sarah GrimkéSarah Grimké1792–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1 decades
  86. 86Sarah Orne JewettSarah Orne Jewett1849–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  87. 87Henry van DykeHenry van Dyke1852–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  88. 88Caroline IngallsCaroline Ingalls1839–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Sidney LanierSidney Lanier1842–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  90. 90John BurroughsJohn Burroughs1837–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Richard Henry DanaRichard Henry Dana1815–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  92. 92William Chester MinorWilliam Chester Minor1834–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Mary Mapes DodgeMary Mapes Dodge1831–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  94. 94Edward Everett HaleEdward Everett Hale1822–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  95. 95Laura BridgmanLaura Bridgman1829–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Sarah WinnemuccaSarah Winnemucca1844–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  97. 97Catharine BeecherCatharine Beecher1800–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98William GilletteWilliam Gillette1853–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99Charles Brockden BrownCharles Brockden Brown1771–1810 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers21 decades
  100. 100John Watson FosterJohn Watson Foster1836–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0 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.