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. 1Jenny LindJenny Lind1820–1887 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians18 decades
  2. 2Princess Eugénie of SwedenPrincess Eugénie of Sweden1830–1889 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  3. 3Prince Gustaf, Duke of UpplandPrince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland1827–1852 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians2 decades
  4. 4Franz BerwaldFranz Berwald1796–1868 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  5. 5Prince August, Duke of DalarnaPrince August, Duke of Dalarna1831–1873 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  6. 6Elfrida AndréeElfrida Andrée1841–1929 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  7. 7Bernhard CrusellBernhard Crusell1775–1838 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  8. 8Alice TegnérAlice Tegnér1864–1943 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  9. 9Adolf Fredrik LindbladAdolf Fredrik Lindblad1801–1878 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  10. 10Amanda Röntgen-MaierAmanda Röntgen-Maier1853–1894 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  11. 11Emilie Flygare-CarlénEmilie Flygare-Carlén1807–1892 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  12. 12Wilma NerudaWilma Neruda1838–1911 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  13. 13Otto LindbladOtto Lindblad1809–1864 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  14. 14Valborg AulinValborg Aulin1860–1928 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  15. 15Aurora KaramzinaAurora Karamzina1808–1902 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  16. 16Laura NetzelLaura Netzel1839–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  17. 17Helena MunktellHelena Munktell1852–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  18. 18Ludvig NormanLudvig Norman1831–1885 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  19. 19Ingeborg Bronsart von SchellendorfIngeborg Bronsart von Schellendorf1840–1913 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  20. 20August SödermanAugust Söderman1833–1876 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  21. 21Emil SjögrenEmil Sjögren1853–1918 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  22. 22Jean Baptiste Édouard Du PuyJean Baptiste Édouard Du Puy1770–1822 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  23. 23Anna BrantingAnna Branting1855–1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  24. 24Joachim Nicolas EggertJoachim Nicolas Eggert1779–1813 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  25. 25Andreas HallénAndreas Hallén1846–1925 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  26. 26Ivar HallströmIvar Hallström1826–1901 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  27. 27Hermann BerensHermann Berens1826–1880 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  28. 28Egron LundgrenEgron Lundgren1815–1875 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  29. 29Henriette Nissen-SalomanHenriette Nissen-Saloman1819–1879 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  30. 30Agda MonteliusAgda Montelius1850–1920 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  31. 31Sigrid ArnoldsonSigrid Arnoldson1861–1943 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  32. 32Jacopo ForoniJacopo Foroni1825–1858 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  33. 33Alfred CellierAlfred Cellier1844–1891 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  34. 34Anna Hierta-RetziusAnna Hierta-Retzius1841–1924 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  35. 35Ellen GulbransonEllen Gulbranson1863–1947 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  36. 36Emmy KöhlerEmmy Köhler1858–1925 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  37. 37Anna CasparssonAnna Casparsson1861–1961 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  38. 38Ika PeyronIka Peyron1845–1922 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  39. 39Eduard BrendlerEduard Brendler1800–1831 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  40. 40Felix KörlingFelix Körling1864–1937 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  41. 41JLJohan Lindegren1842–1908 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  42. 42Calla CurmanCalla Curman1850–1935 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  43. 43JAJacob Adolf Hägg1850–1928 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Bertha TammelinBertha Tammelin1836–1915 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  45. 45Fredrika StenhammarFredrika Stenhammar1836–1880 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  46. 46Jacob Niclas AhlströmJacob Niclas Ahlström1805–1857 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  47. 47Nils FrykmanNils Frykman1842–1911 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Anton Jörgen AndersenAnton Jörgen Andersen1845–1926 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  49. 49Johan Fredrik BerwaldJohan Fredrik Berwald1787–1861 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Caroline RidderstolpeCaroline Ridderstolpe1793–1878 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Emelie HolmbergEmelie Holmberg1821–1854 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  52. 52Jacob Axel JosephsonJacob Axel Josephson1818–1880 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Oscar ByströmOscar Byström1821–1909 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  54. 54Carolina ÖstbergCarolina Östberg1853–1924 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Joseph Gottlieb DenteJoseph Gottlieb Dente1838–1905 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  56. 56Hans Peter HansenHans Peter Hansen1829–1899 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  57. 57Sven ScholanderSven Scholander1860–1936 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  58. 58JCJustina Casagli1794–1842 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Frans Peter von KnorringFrans Peter von Knorring1792–1875 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  60. 60Julius GüntherJulius Günther1818–1904 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  61. 61CSCharlotta Seuerling1782–1828 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  62. 62Beatrice DicksonBeatrice Dickson1852–1941 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  63. 63CLCarl Leopold Sjöberg1861–1900 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Ebba BoströmEbba Boström1844–1902 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Selma EkSelma Ek1856–1941 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Jacob Graberg af HemsŏJacob Graberg af Hemsŏ1776–1847 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  67. 67Andreas RandelAndreas Randel1806–1864 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Lotten af EdholmLotten af Edholm1839–1930 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  69. 69Hilda ThegerströmHilda Thegerström1838–1907 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  70. 70Erik ÅkerbergErik Åkerberg1860–1938 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Maria Fredrica von StedingkMaria Fredrica von Stedingk1799–1868 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  72. 72Richard AnderssonRichard Andersson1851–1918 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Anna Marie Rudolfina NerudaAnna Marie Rudolfina Neruda1840–1920 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Emerentia Maria Charlotta af GeorgiiEmerentia Maria Charlotta af Georgii1821–1880 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Matilda JungstedtMatilda Jungstedt1864–1923 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  76. 76JBJoël Blomqvist1840–1930 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Louise MichaëliLouise Michaëli1830–1875 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  78. 78Johanna von SchoultzJohanna von Schoultz1813–1863 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Wilhelmina FundinWilhelmina Fundin1819–1911 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  80. 80AVAurora von Qvanten1816–1907 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  81. 81Leocadie GerlachLeocadie Gerlach1827–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Ulrika von StrussenfeltUlrika von Strussenfelt1801–1873 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  83. 83Carl Axel StrindbergCarl Axel Strindberg1845–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Elisabeth von BahrElisabeth von Bahr1838–1914 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  85. 85AHAmalia Hjelm1846–1916 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  86. 86HMHenrik Munktell1804–1861 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot 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.