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. 2Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  3. 3Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  5. 5Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin1810–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  6. 6Émile ZolaÉmile Zola1840–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  7. 7Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors15 decades
  8. 8Honoré de BalzacHonoré de Balzac1799–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  9. 9Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  10. 10George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  11. 11Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant1850–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  12. 12Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  13. 13Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  14. 14Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  15. 15Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  16. 16Paul CézannePaul Cézanne1839–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  17. 17Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  18. 18Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  19. 19Paul GauguinPaul Gauguin1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  20. 20StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  21. 21Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain1856–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  22. 22Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  23. 23Pierre-Auguste RenoirPierre-Auguste Renoir1841–1919 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  24. 24Claude DebussyClaude Debussy1862–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  25. 25Georges ClemenceauGeorges Clemenceau1841–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  26. 26Paul VerlainePaul Verlaine1844–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  27. 27Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  28. 28Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists20 decades
  29. 29Pierre CuriePierre Curie1859–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  30. 30Louis Philippe ILouis Philippe I1773–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Models19 decades
  31. 31Auguste RodinAuguste Rodin1840–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists14 decades
  32. 32Henri de Toulouse-LautrecHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec1864–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  33. 33Henri BergsonHenri Bergson1859–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  34. 34François-René de ChateaubriandFrançois-René de Chateaubriand1768–1848 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  35. 35Édouard ManetÉdouard Manet1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists15 decades
  36. 36Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville1805–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  37. 37Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  38. 38Alphonse de LamartineAlphonse de Lamartine1790–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  39. 39Émile DurkheimÉmile Durkheim1858–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  40. 40Thérèse of LisieuxThérèse of Lisieux1873–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics10 decades
  41. 41Hector BerliozHector Berlioz1803–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians19 decades
  42. 42Napoleon IINapoleon II1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers21 decades
  43. 43Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  44. 44Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  45. 45Georges BizetGeorges Bizet1838–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  46. 46Pierre de CoubertinPierre de Coubertin1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Educators14 decades
  47. 47Germaine de StaëlGermaine de Staël1766–1817 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  48. 48Henri PoincaréHenri Poincaré1854–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  49. 49Jean-Auguste-Dominique IngresJean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres1780–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Adolphe ThiersAdolphe Thiers1797–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  51. 51Jacques OffenbachJacques Offenbach1819–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  52. 52Edgar DegasEdgar Degas1834–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  53. 53Alfred DreyfusAlfred Dreyfus1859–1935 · 🇫🇷 France13 decades
  54. 54Gustave CourbetGustave Courbet1819–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists16 decades
  55. 55Pierre-Joseph ProudhonPierre-Joseph Proudhon1809–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  56. 56Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics22 decades
  57. 57Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  58. 58Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers16 decades
  59. 59Jean-François ChampollionJean-François Champollion1790–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  60. 60Camille Saint-SaënsCamille Saint-Saëns1835–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  61. 61Joachim MuratJoachim Murat1767–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  62. 62Octave MirbeauOctave Mirbeau1848–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  63. 63Ferdinand FochFerdinand Foch1851–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7 decades
  64. 64Prosper MériméeProsper Mérimée1803–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  65. 65Frédéric MistralFrédéric Mistral1830–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17 decades
  66. 66André-Marie AmpèreAndré-Marie Ampère1775–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  67. 67Évariste GaloisÉvariste Galois1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  68. 68Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  69. 69Patrice de MacMahonPatrice de MacMahon1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  70. 70Camille PissarroCamille Pissarro1830–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  71. 71Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel1858–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  72. 72Bernadette SoubirousBernadette Soubirous1844–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures15 decades
  73. 73Louise MichelLouise Michel1830–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  74. 74Joseph FourierJoseph Fourier1768–1830 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  75. 75Henri BecquerelHenri Becquerel1852–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  76. 76Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics17 decades
  77. 77Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  78. 78Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  79. 79Stéphane MallarméStéphane Mallarmé1842–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14 decades
  80. 80Georges MélièsGeorges Méliès1861–1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors9 decades
  81. 81Berthe MorisotBerthe Morisot1841–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  82. 82Henri RousseauHenri Rousseau1844–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  83. 83Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers18 decades
  84. 84Gustave DoréGustave Doré1832–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists17 decades
  85. 85Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  86. 86Georges SeuratGeorges Seurat1859–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  87. 87Gustave Le BonGustave Le Bon1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  88. 88Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  89. 89Ludwig I of BavariaLudwig I of Bavaria1786–1868 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  90. 90Georges-Eugène HaussmannGeorges-Eugène Haussmann1809–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  91. 91Sadi CarnotSadi Carnot1837–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians16 decades
  92. 92Sophie GermainSophie Germain1776–1831 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics18 decades
  93. 93Jules MicheletJules Michelet1798–1874 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers15 decades
  94. 94Charles GounodCharles Gounod1818–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians17 decades
  95. 95Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  96. 96Eugène Viollet-le-DucEugène Viollet-le-Duc1814–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Architectsnot measured—
  97. 97Vilfredo ParetoVilfredo Pareto1848–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  98. 98Théodore GéricaultThéodore Géricault1791–1824 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  99. 99Georges CuvierGeorges Cuvier1769–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists21 decades
  100. 100Gabriel FauréGabriel Fauré1845–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 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.