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.

  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.

  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.