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 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.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇹 Austria🇹🇷 Turkey🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllPoliticiansWritersHistorical FiguresScientistsAcademicsArtistsMusiciansDoctorsFoundersJournalists
  1. 1Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  2. 2John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller1839–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders14 decades
  3. 3Henry DunantHenry Dunant1828–1910 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Founders13 decades
  4. 4J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  5. 5John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders22 decades
  6. 6Levi StraussLevi Strauss1829–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders11 decades
  7. 7Robert OwenRobert Owen1771–1858 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Founders22 decades
  8. 8Cornelius VanderbiltCornelius Vanderbilt1794–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders18 decades
  9. 9Jamsetji TataJamsetji Tata1839–1904 · 🇮🇳 India · Founders0 decades
  10. 10J. Bruce IsmayJ. Bruce Ismay1862–1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Founders1 decades
  11. 11King C. GilletteKing C. Gillette1855–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  12. 12Henri NestléHenri Nestlé1814–1890 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Founders0 decades
  13. 13Iwasaki YatarōIwasaki Yatarō1835–1885 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Founders0 decades
  14. 14Thomas CookThomas Cook1808–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Founders22 decades
  15. 15Elisha OtisElisha Otis1811–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  16. 16James Buchanan DukeJames Buchanan Duke1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  17. 17Pavel TretyakovPavel Tretyakov1832–1898 · Founders9 decades
  18. 18Henry J. HeinzHenry J. Heinz1844–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  19. 19Paul ReuterPaul Reuter1816–1899 · Founders0 decades
  20. 20Adam OpelAdam Opel1837–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Founders12 decades
  21. 21Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders21 decades
  22. 22FYFusajirō Yamauchi1859–1940 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Foundersnot measured—
  23. 23Jay GouldJay Gould1836–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders17 decades
  24. 24Jean LafitteJean Lafitte1776–1826 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders12 decades
  25. 25William Crapo DurantWilliam Crapo Durant1861–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  26. 26Solomon R. GuggenheimSolomon R. Guggenheim1861–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders8 decades
  27. 27Milton S. HersheyMilton S. Hershey1857–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders6 decades
  28. 28Émile GalléÉmile Gallé1846–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders7 decades
  29. 29Cäsar Johann RitzCäsar Johann Ritz1850–1918 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Founders2 decades
  30. 30Charles BoycottCharles Boycott1832–1897 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Founders0 decades
  31. 31Alfred KruppAlfred Krupp1812–1887 · Founders15 decades
  32. 32Shibusawa EiichiShibusawa Eiichi1840–1931 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Foundersnot measured—
  33. 33Margarete SteiffMargarete Steiff1847–1909 · Foundersnot measured—
  34. 34Basil ZaharoffBasil Zaharoff1849–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders7 decades
  35. 35Emil JellinekEmil Jellinek1853–1918 · Founders1 decades
  36. 36Will Keith KelloggWill Keith Kellogg1860–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  37. 37George PeabodyGeorge Peabody1795–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders19 decades
  38. 38Eusebio GüellEusebio Güell1846–1918 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Foundersnot measured—
  39. 39Ransom E. OldsRansom E. Olds1864–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  40. 40Henry Clay FrickHenry Clay Frick1849–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  41. 41Torakusu YamahaTorakusu Yamaha1851–1916 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Founders0 decades
  42. 42Marcus GoldmanMarcus Goldman1821–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  43. 43Armand PeugeotArmand Peugeot1849–1915 · 🇫🇷 France · Foundersnot measured—
  44. 44Michael ThonetMichael Thonet1796–1871 · Founders0 decades
  45. 45Maurice de HirschMaurice de Hirsch1831–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders3 decades
  46. 46William Henry VanderbiltWilliam Henry Vanderbilt1821–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  47. 47Emil ŠkodaEmil Škoda1839–1900 · Founders0 decades
  48. 48August OetkerAugust Oetker1862–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Foundersnot measured—
  49. 49Savva MamontovSavva Mamontov1841–1918 · Foundersnot measured—
  50. 50Harry Gordon SelfridgeHarry Gordon Selfridge1858–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  51. 51Peter CooperPeter Cooper1791–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders20 decades
  52. 52Madame Clicquot PonsardinMadame Clicquot Ponsardin1777–1866 · 🇫🇷 France · Foundersnot measured—
  53. 53Mikimoto KōkichiMikimoto Kōkichi1858–1954 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Foundersnot measured—
  54. 54Henry E. SteinwayHenry E. Steinway1797–1871 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Foundersnot measured—
  55. 55Friedrich KruppFriedrich Krupp1787–1826 · Foundersnot measured—
  56. 56Friedrich Alfred KruppFriedrich Alfred Krupp1854–1902 · Foundersnot measured—
  57. 57Fredrik IdestamFredrik Idestam1838–1916 · Foundersnot measured—
  58. 58Charles YerkesCharles Yerkes1837–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  59. 59Antoine PatekAntoine Patek1812–1877 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Foundersnot measured—
  60. 60Samuel P. BushSamuel P. Bush1863–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  61. 61John Philip HollandJohn Philip Holland1840–1914 · Foundersnot measured—
  62. 62Cyrus West FieldCyrus West Field1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  63. 63Lucas AlamánLucas Alamán1792–1853 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Foundersnot measured—
  64. 64Dwarkanath TagoreDwarkanath Tagore1794–1846 · Foundersnot measured—
  65. 65Samuel CunardSamuel Cunard1787–1865 · Foundersnot measured—
  66. 66Julius MaggiJulius Maggi1846–1912 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Foundersnot measured—
  67. 67Albert BallinAlbert Ballin1857–1918 · Foundersnot measured—
  68. 68John Francis DodgeJohn Francis Dodge1864–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  69. 69David SassoonDavid Sassoon1792–1864 · Foundersnot measured—
  70. 70Henry ColeHenry Cole1808–1882 · Foundersnot measured—
  71. 71Friedrich BayerFriedrich Bayer1825–1880 · Foundersnot measured—
  72. 72Robert NobelRobert Nobel1829–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Foundersnot measured—
  73. 73William Pirrie, 1st Viscount PirrieWilliam Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie1847–1924 · Foundersnot measured—
  74. 74Sergei ShchukinSergei Shchukin1854–1936 · Foundersnot measured—
  75. 75Daniel PeterDaniel Peter1836–1919 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Foundersnot measured—
  76. 76Georgios AveroffGeorgios Averoff1815–1899 · Founders0 decades
  77. 77Rodolphe LindtRodolphe Lindt1855–1909 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Foundersnot measured—
  78. 78Haji Zeynal Abdin TaghiyevHaji Zeynal Abdin Taghiyev1838–1924 · Foundersnot measured—
  79. 79William WrigleyWilliam Wrigley1861–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  80. 80Paul MauserPaul Mauser1838–1914 · Foundersnot measured—
  81. 81Samuel InsullSamuel Insull1859–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Foundersnot measured—
  82. 82Emil RathenauEmil Rathenau1838–1915 · Foundersnot measured—
  83. 83J. C. JacobsenJ. C. Jacobsen1811–1887 · Foundersnot measured—
  84. 84Julius RosenwaldJulius Rosenwald1862–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  85. 85Karl WittgensteinKarl Wittgenstein1847–1913 · Foundersnot measured—
  86. 86Joseph AspdinJoseph Aspdin1778–1855 · Founders1 decades
  87. 87Charles Lewis TiffanyCharles Lewis Tiffany1812–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  88. 88Eliphalet RemingtonEliphalet Remington1793–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  89. 89William ColgateWilliam Colgate1783–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  90. 90Savva Timofeyevich MorozovSavva Timofeyevich Morozov1862–1905 · Foundersnot measured—
  91. 91Charles Francis BrushCharles Francis Brush1849–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  92. 92August BorsigAugust Borsig1804–1854 · Foundersnot measured—
  93. 93Gerard Adriaan HeinekenGerard Adriaan Heineken1841–1893 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Foundersnot measured—
  94. 94Johann Georg HalskeJohann Georg Halske1814–1890 · Foundersnot measured—
  95. 95Sir Henry TateSir Henry Tate1819–1899 · Foundersnot measured—
  96. 96François HennebiqueFrançois Hennebique1842–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Foundersnot measured—
  97. 97Thomas BurberryThomas Burberry1835–1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Foundersnot measured—
  98. 98John CadburyJohn Cadbury1801–1889 · Foundersnot measured—
  99. 99William FargoWilliam Fargo1818–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  100. 100John CockerillJohn Cockerill1790–1840 · 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.