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. 1Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh1853–1890 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists12 decades
  2. 2Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  3. 3Paul CézannePaul Cézanne1839–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  4. 4Paul GauguinPaul Gauguin1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  5. 5Gustav KlimtGustav Klimt1862–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists12 decades
  6. 6Edvard MunchEdvard Munch1863–1944 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Artists7 decades
  7. 7Pierre-Auguste RenoirPierre-Auguste Renoir1841–1919 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  8. 8Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists20 decades
  9. 9Caspar David FriedrichCaspar David Friedrich1774–1840 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists11 decades
  10. 10Auguste RodinAuguste Rodin1840–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  11. 11J. M. W. TurnerJ. M. W. Turner1775–1851 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists22 decades
  12. 12Ilya RepinIlya Repin1844–1930 · Artists10 decades
  13. 13Henri de Toulouse-LautrecHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec1864–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  14. 14Édouard ManetÉdouard Manet1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists15 decades
  15. 15Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresJean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres1780–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  16. 16Edgar DegasEdgar Degas1834–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  17. 17Gustave CourbetGustave Courbet1819–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  18. 18Ivan AivazovskyIvan Aivazovsky1817–1900 · Artists2 decades
  19. 19Camille PissarroCamille Pissarro1830–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  20. 20Viktor VasnetsovViktor Vasnetsov1848–1926 · Artists10 decades
  21. 21Berthe MorisotBerthe Morisot1841–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  22. 22Henri RousseauHenri Rousseau1844–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  23. 23Gustave DoréGustave Doré1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists17 decades
  24. 24Alphonse MuchaAlphonse Mucha1860–1939 · Artists1 decades
  25. 25Wilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch1832–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists15 decades
  26. 26Georges SeuratGeorges Seurat1859–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  27. 27William MorrisWilliam Morris1834–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists19 decades
  28. 28Ivan ShishkinIvan Shishkin1831–1898 · Artists9 decades
  29. 29Mary CassattMary Cassatt1844–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  30. 30Théodore GéricaultThéodore Géricault1791–1824 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  31. 31NadarNadar1820–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  32. 32Karl BryullovKarl Bryullov1799–1852 · Artists11 decades
  33. 33Camille ClaudelCamille Claudel1864–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  34. 34Alfred SisleyAlfred Sisley1839–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists9 decades
  35. 35Victoria, Princess RoyalVictoria, Princess Royal1840–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists0 decades
  36. 36Jean-François MilletJean-François Millet1814–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  37. 37John Singer SargentJohn Singer Sargent1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists11 decades
  38. 38Isaac LevitanIsaac Levitan1860–1900 · Artists7 decades
  39. 39Max LiebermannMax Liebermann1847–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists13 decades
  40. 40Arkhip KuindzhiArkhip Kuindzhi1841–1910 · Artists2 decades
  41. 41Jean-Baptiste-Camille CorotJean-Baptiste-Camille Corot1796–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  42. 42Honoré DaumierHonoré Daumier1808–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  43. 43Vasily VereshchaginVasily Vereshchagin1842–1904 · Artists8 decades
  44. 44Vasily SurikovVasily Surikov1848–1916 · Artists8 decades
  45. 45Frédéric Auguste BartholdiFrédéric Auguste Bartholdi1834–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  46. 46John ConstableJohn Constable1776–1837 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists22 decades
  47. 47William-Adolphe BouguereauWilliam-Adolphe Bouguereau1825–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  48. 48Rosa BonheurRosa Bonheur1822–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists18 decades
  49. 49Ivan KramskoiIvan Kramskoi1837–1887 · Artists11 decades
  50. 50Paul SignacPaul Signac1863–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  51. 51HiroshigeHiroshige1797–1858 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artistsnot measured—
  52. 52James Abbott McNeill WhistlerJames Abbott McNeill Whistler1834–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  53. 53Gustave CaillebotteGustave Caillebotte1848–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  54. 54Mikhail VrubelMikhail Vrubel1856–1910 · Artists9 decades
  55. 55Odilon RedonOdilon Redon1840–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  56. 56Jean-Léon GérômeJean-Léon Gérôme1824–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  57. 57Arnold BöcklinArnold Böcklin1827–1901 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists14 decades
  58. 58Joseph MerrickJoseph Merrick1862–1890 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists0 decades
  59. 59Gustave MoreauGustave Moreau1826–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  60. 60John James AudubonJohn James Audubon1785–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists19 decades
  61. 61Eadweard MuybridgeEadweard Muybridge1830–1904 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists7 decades
  62. 62John Everett MillaisJohn Everett Millais1829–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  63. 63Joaquín SorollaJoaquín Sorolla1863–1923 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists13 decades
  64. 64Niko PirosmaniNiko Pirosmani1862–1918 · Artists6 decades
  65. 65Anders ZornAnders Zorn1860–1920 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  66. 66Carlos I of PortugalCarlos I of Portugal1863–1908 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Artists0 decades
  67. 67Édouard-Henri AvrilÉdouard-Henri Avril1849–1928 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  68. 68Margaret of SavoyMargaret of Savoy1851–1926 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists17 decades
  69. 69Hilma af KlintHilma af Klint1862–1944 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  70. 70James EnsorJames Ensor1860–1949 · Artists13 decades
  71. 71Jan MatejkoJan Matejko1838–1893 · Artists3 decades
  72. 72Carl LarssonCarl Larsson1853–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  73. 73John William WaterhouseJohn William Waterhouse1849–1917 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0 decades
  74. 74Alfred StieglitzAlfred Stieglitz1864–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists13 decades
  75. 75Anna Pavlovna of RussiaAnna Pavlovna of Russia1795–1865 · Artists0 decades
  76. 76Raja Ravi VarmaRaja Ravi Varma1848–1906 · 🇮🇳 India · Artists0 decades
  77. 77Aubrey BeardsleyAubrey Beardsley1872–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  78. 78Alexandre CabanelAlexandre Cabanel1823–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists6 decades
  79. 79Tokugawa YoshinobuTokugawa Yoshinobu1837–1913 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists0 decades
  80. 80Luís I of PortugalLuís I of Portugal1838–1889 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Artistsnot measured—
  81. 81Lawrence Alma-TademaLawrence Alma-Tadema1836–1912 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1 decades
  82. 82Thomas ColeThomas Cole1801–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists22 decades
  83. 83Frédéric BazilleFrédéric Bazille1841–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists9 decades
  84. 84Eugène BoudinEugène Boudin1824–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  85. 85Francesco HayezFrancesco Hayez1791–1882 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists20 decades
  86. 86James TissotJames Tissot1836–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  87. 87Winslow HomerWinslow Homer1836–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists15 decades
  88. 88Frederic Edwin ChurchFrederic Edwin Church1826–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  89. 89William Holman HuntWilliam Holman Hunt1827–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists5 decades
  90. 90Edward Burne-JonesEdward Burne-Jones1833–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  91. 91Julia Margaret CameronJulia Margaret Cameron1815–1879 · 🇮🇳 India · Artists5 decades
  92. 92Bertel ThorvaldsenBertel Thorvaldsen1770–1844 · Artists1 decades
  93. 93Edward LearEdward Lear1812–1888 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists15 decades
  94. 94Vasily PerovVasily Perov1833–1882 · Artists8 decades
  95. 95Albert BierstadtAlbert Bierstadt1830–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  96. 96Frederic LeightonFrederic Leighton1830–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists5 decades
  97. 97Albert EdelfeltAlbert Edelfelt1854–1905 · Artists0 decades
  98. 98Grandma MosesGrandma Moses1860–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists8 decades
  99. 99Henry van de VeldeHenry van de Velde1863–1957 · Artists7 decades
  100. 100Utagawa KuniyoshiUtagawa Kuniyoshi1798–1861 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists0 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.