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.

  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 de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.94
  32. 32Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.94
  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 de Bourbon, Bishop of LiègeLouis de Bourbon, Bishop of Liège1438–1482 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.62
  52. 52Louis de Bourbon, Count of ClermontLouis de Bourbon, Count of Clermont1709–1771 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.62
  53. 53Louis, Count of VermandoisLouis, Count of Vermandois1667–1683 · 17th century0.62
  54. 54Louis, Count of SoissonsLouis, Count of Soissons1604–1641 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.62
  55. 55Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of PenthièvreLouis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duke of Penthièvre1725–1793 · 18th 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.

  1. 1Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria1863–1914 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  2. 2Maximilian I of MexicoMaximilian I of Mexico1832–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians19 decades
  3. 3Ferdinand I of AustriaFerdinand I of Austria1793–1875 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  4. 4Rudolf, Crown Prince of AustriaRudolf, Crown Prince of Austria1858–1889 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  5. 5Archduke Karl Ludwig of AustriaArchduke Karl Ludwig of Austria1833–1896 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians16 decades
  6. 6Karl LuegerKarl Lueger1844–1910 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians13 decades
  7. 7Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians17 decades
  8. 8Eduard von Böhm-ErmolliEduard von Böhm-Ermolli1856–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  9. 9Oskar PotiorekOskar Potiorek1853–1933 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  10. 10Georg Ritter von SchönererGeorg Ritter von Schönerer1842–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians9 decades
  11. 11Archduke Eugen of AustriaArchduke Eugen of Austria1863–1954 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  12. 12Prince August, 3rd Prince of KoháryPrince August, 3rd Prince of Koháry1818–1881 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians7 decades
  13. 13Leopold BerchtoldLeopold Berchtold1863–1942 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians4 decades
  14. 14Michael HainischMichael Hainisch1858–1940 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians11 decades
  15. 15Archduke Leopold Salvator of AustriaArchduke Leopold Salvator of Austria1863–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  16. 16Viktor Dankl von KrasnikViktor Dankl von Krasnik1854–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  17. 17Stjepan SarkotićStjepan Sarkotić1858–1939 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  18. 18Ernest von KoerberErnest von Koerber1850–1919 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  19. 19Friedrich von Beck-RzikowskyFriedrich von Beck-Rzikowsky1830–1920 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  20. 20Rudolf Stöger-Steiner von SteinstättenRudolf Stöger-Steiner von Steinstätten1861–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  21. 21Prince Alfred, 3rd Prince of Windisch-GrätzPrince Alfred, 3rd Prince of Windisch-Grätz1851–1927 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  22. 22Heinrich Clam-MartinicHeinrich Clam-Martinic1863–1932 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  23. 23Prince Konrad of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-SchillingsfürstPrince Konrad of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst1863–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  24. 24Alfred, 2nd Prince of MontenuovoAlfred, 2nd Prince of Montenuovo1854–1927 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  25. 25Alfred KraussAlfred Krauss1862–1938 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  26. 26Ernst Seidler von FeuchteneggErnst Seidler von Feuchtenegg1862–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  27. 27Galeas von Thun und HohensteinGaleas von Thun und Hohenstein1850–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  28. 28Prince Aloys Franz de Paula MariaPrince Aloys Franz de Paula Maria1846–1920 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  29. 29Jodok FinkJodok Fink1853–1929 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  30. 30Hermann von SpaunHermann von Spaun1833–1919 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  31. 31Maximilian Egon II, Prince of FürstenbergMaximilian Egon II, Prince of Fürstenberg1863–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  32. 32Baron Max Wladimir von BeckBaron Max Wladimir von Beck1854–1943 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  33. 33Alois, Prince of Schönburg-HartensteinAlois, Prince of Schönburg-Hartenstein1858–1944 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  34. 34Count Manfred von Clary-AldringenCount Manfred von Clary-Aldringen1852–1928 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  35. 35Joseph Samuel BlochJoseph Samuel Bloch1850–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  36. 36Count Erich KielmanseggCount Erich Kielmansegg1847–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  37. 37Baron Wladimir Giesl von GieslingenBaron Wladimir Giesl von Gieslingen1860–1936 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  38. 38Jakob ReumannJakob Reumann1853–1925 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  39. 39Adam Müller-GuttenbrunnAdam Müller-Guttenbrunn1852–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  40. 40Therese Schlesinger-EcksteinTherese Schlesinger-Eckstein1863–1940 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  41. 41Heinrich Ritter von WittekHeinrich Ritter von Wittek1844–1930 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  42. 42Karl Hermann WolfKarl Hermann Wolf1862–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  43. 43Friedrich von GeorgiFriedrich von Georgi1852–1926 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  44. 44Benno StraucherBenno Straucher1854–1940 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  45. 45Gustav GroßGustav Groß1856–1935 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  46. 46Franz MoroderFranz Moroder1847–1920 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  47. 47Franz KleinFranz Klein1854–1926 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  48. 48Wilhelm EllenbogenWilhelm Ellenbogen1863–1951 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  49. 49Prince Karl, 9th Prince of AuerspergPrince Karl, 9th Prince of Auersperg1859–1927 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  50. 50Melanie Metternich-ZichyMelanie Metternich-Zichy1832–1919 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  51. 51Richard WeiskirchnerRichard Weiskirchner1861–1926 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  52. 52Viktor TietzViktor Tietz1859–1937 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  53. 53Zeno Graf Welser von WelsersheimbZeno Graf Welser von Welsersheimb1835–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  54. 54Anton PaceAnton Pace1851–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured

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.