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 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.

  1. 1Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson1803–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  2. 2Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie1835–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  3. 3John DeweyJohn Dewey1859–1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  4. 4William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics18 decades
  5. 5Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  6. 6Charles Sanders PeirceCharles Sanders Peirce1839–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics9 decades
  7. 7Jane AddamsJane Addams1860–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  8. 8Franz BoasFranz Boas1858–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  9. 9Thorstein VeblenThorstein Veblen1857–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics11 decades
  10. 10Henry GeorgeHenry George1839–1897 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  11. 11Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes1841–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics18 decades
  12. 12George Herbert MeadGeorge Herbert Mead1863–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics7 decades
  13. 13Friedrich ListFriedrich List1789–1846 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics18 decades
  14. 14Lewis H. MorganLewis H. Morgan1818–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics15 decades
  15. 15Joshua Lawrence ChamberlainJoshua Lawrence Chamberlain1828–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  16. 16William MillerWilliam Miller1782–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics22 decades
  17. 17Othniel Charles MarshOthniel Charles Marsh1831–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  18. 18Dwight Lyman MoodyDwight Lyman Moody1837–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  19. 19G. Stanley HallG. Stanley Hall1844–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  20. 20Nicholas Murray ButlerNicholas Murray Butler1862–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  21. 21Charles CooleyCharles Cooley1864–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  22. 22Hugo MünsterbergHugo Münsterberg1863–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics3 decades
  23. 23Josiah RoyceJosiah Royce1855–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  24. 24Theodore ParkerTheodore Parker1810–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics18 decades
  25. 25William Graham SumnerWilliam Graham Sumner1840–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics11 decades
  26. 26John William DraperJohn William Draper1811–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics7 decades
  27. 27Cyrus Ingerson ScofieldCyrus Ingerson Scofield1843–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  28. 28Adoniram JudsonAdoniram Judson1788–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  29. 29Ernest FenollosaErnest Fenollosa1853–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  30. 30James McKeen CattellJames McKeen Cattell1860–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  31. 31Robert Ezra ParkRobert Ezra Park1864–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  32. 32Benjamin PeirceBenjamin Peirce1809–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  33. 33Charles William EliotCharles William Eliot1834–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  34. 34Mary Whiton CalkinsMary Whiton Calkins1863–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics2 decades
  35. 35John Bates ClarkJohn Bates Clark1847–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics12 decades
  36. 36Daniel Harvey HillDaniel Harvey Hill1821–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  37. 37Felix AdlerFelix Adler1851–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics15 decades
  38. 38Nathaniel BowditchNathaniel Bowditch1773–1838 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  39. 39Florence KelleyFlorence Kelley1859–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  40. 40Henry SchoolcraftHenry Schoolcraft1793–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1 decades
  41. 41Joseph LeidyJoseph Leidy1823–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics13 decades
  42. 42Clement Clarke MooreClement Clarke Moore1779–1863 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  43. 43Spencer Fullerton BairdSpencer Fullerton Baird1823–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics3 decades
  44. 44Samuel George MortonSamuel George Morton1799–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  45. 45William Walker AtkinsonWilliam Walker Atkinson1862–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  46. 46Alexander Emanuel AgassizAlexander Emanuel Agassiz1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  47. 47Henry Charles CareyHenry Charles Carey1793–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  48. 48Solomon SchechterSolomon Schechter1847–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  49. 49Edward S. MorseEdward S. Morse1838–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  50. 50Isaac Mayer WiseIsaac Mayer Wise1819–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  51. 51B. B. WarfieldB. B. Warfield1851–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  52. 52John R. CommonsJohn R. Commons1862–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  53. 53Charles HodgeCharles Hodge1797–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  54. 54James Mark BaldwinJames Mark Baldwin1861–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  55. 55George Bird GrinnellGeorge Bird Grinnell1849–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  56. 56Orison Swett MardenOrison Swett Marden1848–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  57. 57Francis LieberFrancis Lieber1800–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  58. 58Florence BascomFlorence Bascom1862–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics4 decades
  59. 59James MooneyJames Mooney1861–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  60. 60Florian CajoriFlorian Cajori1859–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  61. 61William Dwight WhitneyWilliam Dwight Whitney1827–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics7 decades
  62. 62James Clark McReynoldsJames Clark McReynolds1862–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  63. 63Edmund Beecher WilsonEdmund Beecher Wilson1856–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  64. 64Orson PrattOrson Pratt1811–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  65. 65Theodore M. DavisTheodore M. Davis1838–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  66. 66Christine Ladd-FranklinChristine Ladd-Franklin1847–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  67. 67Abbott Lawrence LowellAbbott Lawrence Lowell1856–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  68. 68Theobald SmithTheobald Smith1859–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  69. 69Richard T. ElyRichard T. Ely1854–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  70. 70Joseph JastrowJoseph Jastrow1863–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  71. 71Eliakim Hastings MooreEliakim Hastings Moore1862–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  72. 72Annie Smith PeckAnnie Smith Peck1850–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  73. 73Francis Amasa WalkerFrancis Amasa Walker1840–1897 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  74. 74Alice Cunningham FletcherAlice Cunningham Fletcher1838–1923 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  75. 75Zelia NuttallZelia Nuttall1857–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  76. 76Frank Nelson ColeFrank Nelson Cole1861–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  77. 77Elizabeth Cabot AgassizElizabeth Cabot Agassiz1822–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  78. 78Hubert Howe BancroftHubert Howe Bancroft1832–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  79. 79William Henry HolmesWilliam Henry Holmes1846–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  80. 80Frank FetterFrank Fetter1863–1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  81. 81Ephraim George SquierEphraim George Squier1821–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  82. 82Charles Conrad AbbottCharles Conrad Abbott1843–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1 decades
  83. 83Luigi Palma di CesnolaLuigi Palma di Cesnola1832–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  84. 84John BurgessJohn Burgess1844–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  85. 85Arthur E. KennellyArthur E. Kennelly1861–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  86. 86Katharine ComanKatharine Coman1857–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  87. 87Albion Woodbury SmallAlbion Woodbury Small1854–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  88. 88William Fogg OsgoodWilliam Fogg Osgood1864–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  89. 89Arnaud Henri GuyotArnaud Henri Guyot1807–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  90. 90Barton W. StoneBarton W. Stone1772–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  91. 91Daniel Garrison BrintonDaniel Garrison Brinton1837–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  92. 92Alice Freeman PalmerAlice Freeman Palmer1855–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  93. 93Josiah C. NottJosiah C. Nott1804–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  94. 94Elias LoomisElias Loomis1811–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  95. 95Adoniram Judson GordonAdoniram Judson Gordon1836–1895 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  96. 96Edwin SmithEdwin Smith1822–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  97. 97Zerah ColburnZerah Colburn1804–1840 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  98. 98Alexander P. StewartAlexander P. Stewart1821–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  99. 99Richard James Horatio GottheilRichard James Horatio Gottheil1862–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot measured
  100. 100Frank Hamilton CushingFrank Hamilton Cushing1857–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academicsnot 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.