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. 1Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  2. 2John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller1839–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders14 decades
  3. 3J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  4. 4John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders22 decades
  5. 5Levi StraussLevi Strauss1829–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders11 decades
  6. 6Cornelius VanderbiltCornelius Vanderbilt1794–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders18 decades
  7. 7King C. GilletteKing C. Gillette1855–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  8. 8Elisha OtisElisha Otis1811–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  9. 9James Buchanan DukeJames Buchanan Duke1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  10. 10Henry J. HeinzHenry J. Heinz1844–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  11. 11Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders21 decades
  12. 12Jay GouldJay Gould1836–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders17 decades
  13. 13Jean LafitteJean Lafitte1776–1826 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders12 decades
  14. 14William Crapo DurantWilliam Crapo Durant1861–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  15. 15Solomon R. GuggenheimSolomon R. Guggenheim1861–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders8 decades
  16. 16Milton S. HersheyMilton S. Hershey1857–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders6 decades
  17. 17Will Keith KelloggWill Keith Kellogg1860–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  18. 18George PeabodyGeorge Peabody1795–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders19 decades
  19. 19Ransom E. OldsRansom E. Olds1864–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  20. 20Henry Clay FrickHenry Clay Frick1849–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  21. 21Marcus GoldmanMarcus Goldman1821–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  22. 22William Henry VanderbiltWilliam Henry Vanderbilt1821–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  23. 23Harry Gordon SelfridgeHarry Gordon Selfridge1858–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  24. 24Peter CooperPeter Cooper1791–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders20 decades
  25. 25Charles YerkesCharles Yerkes1837–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  26. 26Samuel P. BushSamuel P. Bush1863–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  27. 27Cyrus West FieldCyrus West Field1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  28. 28John Francis DodgeJohn Francis Dodge1864–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  29. 29William WrigleyWilliam Wrigley1861–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  30. 30Julius RosenwaldJulius Rosenwald1862–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  31. 31Charles Lewis TiffanyCharles Lewis Tiffany1812–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  32. 32Eliphalet RemingtonEliphalet Remington1793–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  33. 33William ColgateWilliam Colgate1783–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  34. 34Charles Francis BrushCharles Francis Brush1849–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  35. 35William FargoWilliam Fargo1818–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  36. 36Samuel SlaterSamuel Slater1768–1835 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  37. 37Mary Ellen PleasantMary Ellen Pleasant1814–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  38. 38James J. HillJames J. Hill1838–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  39. 39Leonard JeromeLeonard Jerome1817–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  40. 40Edward Henry HarrimanEdward Henry Harriman1848–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  41. 41James GambleJames Gamble1803–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  42. 42Theodore Roosevelt Sr.Theodore Roosevelt Sr.1831–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  43. 43Henry WellsHenry Wells1805–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  44. 44Daniel GuggenheimDaniel Guggenheim1856–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  45. 45George Dunton WidenerGeorge Dunton Widener1861–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  46. 46Marshall FieldMarshall Field1834–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  47. 47John Munro LongyearJohn Munro Longyear1850–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  48. 48Bertha PalmerBertha Palmer1849–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  49. 49Richard Warren SearsRichard Warren Sears1863–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  50. 50Joseph SeligmanJoseph Seligman1819–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  51. 51Frederic TudorFrederic Tudor1783–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  52. 52Cornelius Vanderbilt IICornelius Vanderbilt II1843–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  53. 53William D. BoyceWilliam D. Boyce1858–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  54. 54Henry E. HuntingtonHenry E. Huntington1850–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  55. 55Henry Huttleston RogersHenry Huttleston Rogers1840–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  56. 56William ProcterWilliam Procter1801–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  57. 57Philip Danforth ArmourPhilip Danforth Armour1832–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  58. 58Samuel Henry KressSamuel Henry Kress1863–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  59. 59William B. FranklinWilliam B. Franklin1823–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  60. 60William Rockefeller Sr.William Rockefeller Sr.1810–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  61. 61Gustavus Franklin SwiftGustavus Franklin Swift1839–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  62. 62Elwood HaynesElwood Haynes1857–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  63. 63Samuel SachsSamuel Sachs1851–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  64. 64William Cornelius Van HorneWilliam Cornelius Van Horne1843–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  65. 65Collis Potter HuntingtonCollis Potter Huntington1821–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  66. 66Matthias W. BaldwinMatthias W. Baldwin1795–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  67. 67Martha Matilda HarperMartha Matilda Harper1857–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  68. 68Charles Ranlett FlintCharles Ranlett Flint1850–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  69. 69James Ward PackardJames Ward Packard1863–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  70. 70Fredericka MandelbaumFredericka Mandelbaum1825–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  71. 71Adolphus Busch IAdolphus Busch I1839–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  72. 72Benjamin AltmanBenjamin Altman1840–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  73. 73R. J. ReynoldsR. J. Reynolds1850–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  74. 74Charles CrockerCharles Crocker1822–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  75. 75Frederick Stark PearsonFrederick Stark Pearson1861–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  76. 76John Murray ForbesJohn Murray Forbes1813–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  77. 77George Safford ParkerGeorge Safford Parker1863–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  78. 78Charles Williams NashCharles Williams Nash1864–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  79. 79William Backhouse Astor, Sr.William Backhouse Astor, Sr.1792–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  80. 80Robert S. BrookingsRobert S. Brookings1850–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  81. 81William Wirt WinchesterWilliam Wirt Winchester1837–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  82. 82Walter Donald DouglasWalter Donald Douglas1861–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  83. 83James FortenJames Forten1766–1842 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  84. 84Minor Cooper KeithMinor Cooper Keith1848–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  85. 85Claus SpreckelsClaus Spreckels1828–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  86. 86Edward C. ClarkEdward C. Clark1811–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  87. 87Godfrey Lowell CabotGodfrey Lowell Cabot1861–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  88. 88Charles DeeringCharles Deering1852–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  89. 89Henry Osborne HavemeyerHenry Osborne Havemeyer1847–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  90. 90William Phelps EnoWilliam Phelps Eno1858–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  91. 91Louis BambergerLouis Bamberger1855–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  92. 92Charles T. HindeCharles T. Hinde1832–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  93. 93Rowland Hussey MacyRowland Hussey Macy1822–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  94. 94Bernard KrogerBernard Kroger1860–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  95. 95Alvah Curtis RoebuckAlvah Curtis Roebuck1864–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  96. 96Frederick MillerFrederick Miller1824–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  97. 97Peter DemensPeter Demens1849–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  98. 98George DaytonGeorge Dayton1857–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  99. 99Henry Varnum PoorHenry Varnum Poor1812–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured
  100. 100Benjamin Newton DukeBenjamin Newton Duke1855–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot 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.