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. 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.