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. 1George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer1839–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures7 decades
  2. 2LiliʻuokalaniLiliʻuokalani1838–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  3. 3Robert PearyRobert Peary1856–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures3 decades
  4. 4SacagaweaSacagawea1788–1812 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures9 decades
  5. 5Kamehameha IKamehameha I1800–1819 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures13 decades
  6. 6Meriwether LewisMeriwether Lewis1774–1809 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures19 decades
  7. 7Kit CarsonKit Carson1809–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures18 decades
  8. 8William ClarkWilliam Clark1770–1838 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures22 decades
  9. 9KalākauaKalākaua1836–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures1 decades
  10. 10Hugh GlassHugh Glass1783–1833 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures5 decades
  11. 11John SutterJohn Sutter1803–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures9 decades
  12. 12Zebulon PikeZebulon Pike1779–1813 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures12 decades
  13. 13Jedediah SmithJedediah Smith1799–1831 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  14. 14Jim BridgerJim Bridger1804–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  15. 15Thomas MoranThomas Moran1837–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures15 decades
  16. 16John ColterJohn Colter1774–1812 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  17. 17George W. De LongGeorge W. De Long1844–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures1 decades
  18. 18John Lloyd StephensJohn Lloyd Stephens1805–1852 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  19. 19James BeckwourthJames Beckwourth1798–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  20. 20James W. MarshallJames W. Marshall1810–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  21. 21Adolphus GreelyAdolphus Greely1844–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  22. 22Liver-Eating JohnsonLiver-Eating Johnson1824–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  23. 23Ezra MeekerEzra Meeker1830–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  24. 24Nathaniel PalmerNathaniel Palmer1799–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures2 decades
  25. 25George KennanGeorge Kennan1845–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  26. 26Josephine Diebitsch PearyJosephine Diebitsch Peary1863–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  27. 27Benjamin BonnevilleBenjamin Bonneville1797–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  28. 28Olive OatmanOlive Oatman1837–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  29. 29William Healey DallWilliam Healey Dall1845–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  30. 30Isaac Israel HayesIsaac Israel Hayes1832–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  31. 31Stephen Harriman LongStephen Harriman Long1784–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  32. 32Elisha Kent KaneElisha Kent Kane1820–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  33. 33Benjamin MorrellBenjamin Morrell1795–1839 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures1 decades
  34. 34Titian PealeTitian Peale1799–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  35. 35William Temple HornadayWilliam Temple Hornaday1854–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  36. 36Edward Herbert ThompsonEdward Herbert Thompson1857–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  37. 37James "Grizzly" AdamsJames "Grizzly" Adams1812–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  38. 38Manuel LisaManuel Lisa1772–1820 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  39. 39AHAndrew Henry1775–1832 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  40. 40Ranald MacDonaldRanald MacDonald1824–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  41. 41Jean Baptiste CharbonneauJean Baptiste Charbonneau1805–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  42. 42Consuelo Yznaga, Duchess of ManchesterConsuelo Yznaga, Duchess of Manchester1853–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  43. 43Jay CookeJay Cooke1821–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  44. 44Walter WellmanWalter Wellman1858–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  45. 45May French SheldonMay French Sheldon1847–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  46. 46George CarmackGeorge Carmack1860–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  47. 47John Augustine ZahmJohn Augustine Zahm1851–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  48. 48Thomas FitzpatrickThomas Fitzpatrick1799–1854 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  49. 49William Woodville RockhillWilliam Woodville Rockhill1854–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  50. 50John Lawson StoddardJohn Lawson Stoddard1850–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  51. 51Mercator CooperMercator Cooper1803–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  52. 52John BozemanJohn Bozeman1835–1867 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  53. 53John Russell BartlettJohn Russell Bartlett1805–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  54. 54John Williams GunnisonJohn Williams Gunnison1812–1853 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  55. 55John W. MackayJohn W. Mackay1831–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  56. 56William SubletteWilliam Sublette1799–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  57. 57Matilda Coxe StevensonMatilda Coxe Stevenson1849–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  58. 58Seth KinmanSeth Kinman1815–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  59. 59William Leonard HuntWilliam Leonard Hunt1838–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  60. 60Wilson Price HuntWilson Price Hunt1783–1842 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  61. 61Charles Chaillé-LongCharles Chaillé-Long1842–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  62. 62JNJeremiah N. Reynolds1799–1858 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  63. 63William Louis AbbottWilliam Louis Abbott1860–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  64. 64Henry Tureman AllenHenry Tureman Allen1859–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  65. 65William Austin BurtWilliam Austin Burt1792–1858 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  66. 66Henry GrinnellHenry Grinnell1799–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  67. 67William F. RaynoldsWilliam F. Raynolds1820–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  68. 68David L. BrainardDavid L. Brainard1856–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  69. 69Edward Fitzgerald BealeEdward Fitzgerald Beale1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  70. 70Lafayette BunnellLafayette Bunnell1824–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  71. 71George DrouillardGeorge Drouillard1775–1810 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  72. 72Joseph R. WalkerJoseph R. Walker1798–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  73. 73Frank G. CarpenterFrank G. Carpenter1855–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  74. 74Uriel SebreeUriel Sebree1848–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  75. 75Harry YountHarry Yount1839–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  76. 76Henry Wetherbee HenshawHenry Wetherbee Henshaw1850–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  77. 77Nathaniel P. LangfordNathaniel P. Langford1832–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  78. 78James B. LockwoodJames B. Lockwood1852–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  79. 79Richard MohunRichard Mohun1864–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  80. 80Alfred Thomas AgateAlfred Thomas Agate1812–1846 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  81. 81Charlie UtterCharlie Utter1838–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  82. 82Lansford HastingsLansford Hastings1819–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  83. 83Ed SchieffelinEd Schieffelin1847–1897 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  84. 84William S. WilliamsWilliam S. Williams1787–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  85. 85Thomas S. HindeThomas S. Hinde1785–1846 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  86. 86EDEdwin De Haven1816–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  87. 87John W. BarlowJohn W. Barlow1838–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  88. 88William LudlowWilliam Ludlow1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  89. 89Evelyn Briggs BaldwinEvelyn Briggs Baldwin1862–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  90. 90Joseph LadueJoseph Ladue1855–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  91. 91Caspar WhitneyCaspar Whitney1864–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  92. 92Robert Stockton WilliamsonRobert Stockton Williamson1825–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  93. 93AFAlexander Forbes1778–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  94. 94Albert S. EvansAlbert S. Evans1831–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot 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.