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

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers37
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures32
  3. 3Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures16
  4. 4MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15
  5. 5Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures10
  6. 6MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7.7
  7. 7HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France5.7
  8. 8Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.7
  9. 9Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5.7
  10. 10François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures5.5
  11. 11Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5.2
  12. 12Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.3
  13. 13Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.1
  14. 14Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.4
  15. 15Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France2.4
  16. 16Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.4
  17. 17Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.2
  18. 18Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  19. 19Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  20. 20Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  21. 21Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.9
  22. 22Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.8
  23. 23Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.6
  24. 24Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.5
  25. 25Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.5
  26. 26Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  27. 27Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  28. 28Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  29. 29Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  30. 30Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  31. 31Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.94
  32. 32Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.94
  33. 33Camille DesmoulinsCamille Desmoulins1760–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0.90
  34. 34Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.89
  35. 35Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.87
  36. 36George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.85
  37. 37Firmin DidotFirmin Didot1764–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.80
  38. 38Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.79
  39. 39Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.78
  40. 40Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics0.76
  41. 41Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de MaintenonFrançoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon1635–1719 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.76
  42. 42Odilon BarrotOdilon Barrot1791–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.76
  43. 43Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.73
  44. 44Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.73
  45. 45Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany1477–1514 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.73
  46. 46La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.73
  47. 47Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.69
  48. 48Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.69
  49. 49Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.68
  50. 50André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.66
  51. 51Louis, Count of SoissonsLouis, Count of Soissons1604–1641 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.62
  52. 52Louis, Count of VermandoisLouis, Count of Vermandois1667–1683 · 17th century0.62
  53. 53Louis de Bourbon, Count of ClermontLouis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont1709–1771 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.62
  54. 54Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of PenthièvreLouis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre1725–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.62
  55. 55Louis de Bourbon, Bishop of LiègeLouis de Bourbon, Bishop of Liège1438–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.62
  56. 56Margaret of ValoisMargaret of Valois1553–1615 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.61
  57. 57Gustav III of SwedenGustav III of Sweden1746–1792 · 18th century · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0.58
  58. 58Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.57
  59. 59Diane de PoitiersDiane de Poitiers1499–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.56
  60. 60Olivier de SerresOlivier de Serres1539–1619 · 16th century · Writers0.55
  61. 61NostradamusNostradamus1503–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.53
  62. 62Jeanne d'AlbretJeanne d'Albret1528–1572 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.52
  63. 63Augustin ThierryAugustin Thierry1795–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.52
  64. 64NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.51
  65. 65Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.49
  66. 66Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.49
  67. 67Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday1768–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.48
  68. 68Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.48
  69. 69Ambroise ParéAmbroise Paré1510–1590 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.48
  70. 70Mary of BurgundyMary of Burgundy1457–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.47
  71. 71Pierre CorneillePierre Corneille1606–1684 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.46
  72. 72StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.45
  73. 73Claude MichelClaude Michel1738–1814 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.45
  74. 74Pierre LerouxPierre Leroux1797–1871 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.44
  75. 75Charles NodierCharles Nodier1780–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.43
  76. 76Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.43
  77. 77Lucien BonaparteLucien Bonaparte1775–1840 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.42
  78. 78Casimir DelavigneCasimir Delavigne1793–1843 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.42
  79. 79Charles, Count of SoissonsCharles, Count of Soissons1566–1612 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.40
  80. 80Louis RacineLouis Racine1692–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.40
  81. 81Vincent of BeauvaisVincent of Beauvais1190–1264 · 13th century · Educators0.40
  82. 82Jean GoujonJean Goujon1510–1567 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Architects0.39
  83. 83Pope Urban VPope Urban V1310–1370 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.39
  84. 84Thomas CorneilleThomas Corneille1625–1709 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.38
  85. 85Horace VernetHorace Vernet1789–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.38
  86. 86Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.37
  87. 87Antoine of NavarreAntoine of Navarre1518–1562 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.36
  88. 88Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.36
  89. 89Jacques ClémentJacques Clément1567–1589 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.36
  90. 90Antoine Quentin Fouquier-TinvilleAntoine Quentin Fouquier-Tinville1746–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.36
  91. 91Pope Clement IVPope Clement IV1190–1268 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.35
  92. 92Pope Gregory XIPope Gregory XI1329–1378 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.35
  93. 93Charles DupinCharles Dupin1784–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.35
  94. 94Napoléon, Prince ImperialNapoléon, Prince Imperial1856–1879 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.34
  95. 95Napoleon IINapoleon II1811–1832 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Designers0.33
  96. 96John of Luxembourg, Lord of BeauvoirJohn of Luxembourg, Lord of Beauvoir1370–1397 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.33
  97. 97Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.33
  98. 98Prince Philippe, Count of ParisPrince Philippe, Count of Paris1838–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.32
  99. 99Blanche of CastileBlanche of Castile1188–1252 · 13th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.32
  100. 100Camille JordanCamille Jordan1838–1922 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.32

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. 2Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · Writers18 decades
  3. 3Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · Writers21 decades
  4. 4Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  5. 5Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · Writers17 decades
  6. 6Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades
  7. 7Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh1853–1890 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists12 decades
  8. 8Ludwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven1770–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians21 decades
  9. 9Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  10. 10Nikola TeslaNikola Tesla1856–1943 · Scientists13 decades
  11. 11Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · Writers15 decades
  12. 12Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche1844–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  13. 13Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud1856–1939 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers12 decades
  14. 14Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians21 decades
  15. 15Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky1840–1893 · Musicians10 decades
  16. 16Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria1819–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  17. 17Jane AustenJane Austen1775–1817 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers19 decades
  18. 18Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck1815–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  19. 19Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  20. 20Charles DarwinCharles Darwin1809–1882 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists21 decades
  21. 21Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  22. 22Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  23. 23Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin1810–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  24. 24Oscar WildeOscar Wilde1854–1900 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  25. 25Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · Writers19 decades
  26. 26Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe1809–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  27. 27Émile ZolaÉmile Zola1840–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  28. 28Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors15 decades
  29. 29Honoré de BalzacHonoré de Balzac1799–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  30. 30Thomas EdisonThomas Edison1847–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  31. 31Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · Scientists11 decades
  32. 32Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  33. 33Charles DickensCharles Dickens1812–1870 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers20 decades
  34. 34Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  35. 35George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  36. 36Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians18 decades
  37. 37Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant1850–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  38. 38Arthur SchopenhauerArthur Schopenhauer1788–1860 · Academics20 decades
  39. 39Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  40. 40Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  41. 41Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  42. 42Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  43. 43Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  44. 44Georg Wilhelm Friedrich HegelGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel1770–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades
  45. 45Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  46. 46Franz SchubertFranz Schubert1797–1828 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians22 decades
  47. 47Mikhail LermontovMikhail Lermontov1814–1841 · Writers15 decades
  48. 48James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield1831–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  49. 49Antoni GaudíAntoni Gaudí1852–1926 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects5 decades
  50. 50Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen1805–1875 · Writers18 decades
  51. 51Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures17 decades
  52. 52Carl Friedrich GaussCarl Friedrich Gauss1777–1855 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics11 decades
  53. 53Pope Leo XIIIPope Leo XIII1810–1903 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures15 decades
  54. 54Alfred NobelAlfred Nobel1833–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists13 decades
  55. 55Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · Historical Figures21 decades
  56. 56Gustav MahlerGustav Mahler1860–1911 · Musicians13 decades
  57. 57Paul CézannePaul Cézanne1839–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  58. 58Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini1858–1924 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians15 decades
  59. 59Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  60. 60Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers22 decades
  61. 61Johannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms1833–1897 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians17 decades
  62. 62Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · Writers13 decades
  63. 63Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  64. 64Arthur Conan DoyleArthur Conan Doyle1859–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  65. 65Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · Models19 decades
  66. 66Ada LovelaceAda Lovelace1815–1852 · Academics3 decades
  67. 67Alexander von HumboldtAlexander von Humboldt1769–1859 · Historical Figures8 decades
  68. 68Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  69. 69Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · Historical Figures17 decades
  70. 70Pope Pius XIPope Pius XI1857–1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures10 decades
  71. 71Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers14 decades
  72. 72Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson1850–1894 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers15 decades
  73. 73Pope Pius IXPope Pius IX1792–1878 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures18 decades
  74. 74Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  75. 75Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures13 decades
  76. 76Mary ShelleyMary Shelley1797–1851 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  77. 77Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades
  78. 78Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  79. 79Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg1847–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  80. 80Pope Pius XPope Pius X1835–1914 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures12 decades
  81. 81Paul GauguinPaul Gauguin1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  82. 82William McKinleyWilliam McKinley1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  83. 83Max PlanckMax Planck1858–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  84. 84Florence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale1820–1910 · Writers17 decades
  85. 85Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · Historical Figures16 decades
  86. 86Franz Joseph I of AustriaFranz Joseph I of Austria1830–1916 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures18 decades
  87. 87Gustav KlimtGustav Klimt1862–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists12 decades
  88. 88Franz LisztFranz Liszt1811–1886 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians19 decades
  89. 89Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  90. 90Felix MendelssohnFelix Mendelssohn1809–1847 · Musicians18 decades
  91. 91StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  92. 92Emily BrontëEmily Brontë1818–1848 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers14 decades
  93. 93Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria1863–1914 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Robert SchumannRobert Schumann1810–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  95. 95Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain1856–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  96. 96Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant1822–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  97. 97Søren KierkegaardSøren Kierkegaard1813–1855 · Academics3 decades
  98. 98Pope Benedict XVPope Benedict XV1854–1922 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures11 decades
  99. 99Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  100. 100Empress Dowager CixiEmpress Dowager Cixi1835–1908 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures5 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.