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 Italian books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.

  1. 1GiottoGiotto1267–1337 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.5
  2. 2Antonio da CorreggioAntonio da Correggio1489–1534 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.0
  3. 3Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · 15th century · Politicians3.0
  4. 4Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri1265–1321 · 14th century · Writers2.9
  5. 5Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.9
  6. 6Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects2.6
  7. 7Torquato TassoTorquato Tasso1544–1595 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  8. 8CaravaggioCaravaggio1571–1610 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.1
  9. 9Apostolo ZenoApostolo Zeno1668–1750 · 18th century · Writers2.1
  10. 10CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · 13th century · Artists2.1
  11. 11TintorettoTintoretto1519–1594 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  12. 12Charles BorromeoCharles Borromeo1538–1584 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.8
  13. 13DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · 15th century · Artists1.8
  14. 14Paul the DeaconPaul the Deacon720–799 · 8th century · Writers1.8
  15. 15Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.7
  16. 16Philip NeriPhilip Neri1515–1595 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.7
  17. 17Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.7
  18. 18Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · 15th century · Politicians1.7
  19. 19Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei1564–1642 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.7
  20. 20Andrea DoriaAndrea Doria1466–1560 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  21. 21Giulio RomanoGiulio Romano1499–1546 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.6
  22. 22GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.5
  23. 23DomenichinoDomenichino1581–1641 · 17th century · Artists1.5
  24. 24Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · 19th century · Writers1.4
  25. 25PetrarchPetrarch1304–1374 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.4
  26. 26Andrea del SartoAndrea del Sarto1486–1530 · 16th century · Artists1.2
  27. 27Pietro AretinoPietro Aretino1492–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  28. 28Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  29. 29Giorgio VasariGiorgio Vasari1511–1574 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.2
  30. 30MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  31. 31Baldassare FranceschiniBaldassare Franceschini1611–1690 · 17th century · Artists1.1
  32. 32Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  33. 33Cesare BorgiaCesare Borgia1475–1507 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures1.1
  34. 34Paolo VeronesePaolo Veronese1528–1588 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  35. 35Guido ReniGuido Reni1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.0
  36. 36Dino CompagniDino Compagni1255–1324 · 13th century · Writers1.0
  37. 37Pietro BemboPietro Bembo1470–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.00
  38. 38Guido CavalcantiGuido Cavalcanti1258–1300 · 13th century · Writers0.99
  39. 39Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò Machiavelli1469–1527 · 16th century · Politicians0.99
  40. 40Filippo Maria ViscontiFilippo Maria Visconti1392–1447 · 15th century · Politicians0.97
  41. 41Cesare BalboCesare Balbo1789–1853 · 19th century · Politicians0.97
  42. 42Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists0.93
  43. 43Prospero ColonnaProspero Colonna1452–1523 · 15th century0.90
  44. 44Benvenuto CelliniBenvenuto Cellini1500–1571 · 16th century · Artists0.90
  45. 45Benedetto VarchiBenedetto Varchi1503–1565 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.88
  46. 46Francesco GuicciardiniFrancesco Guicciardini1483–1540 · 16th century · Writers0.88
  47. 47Aloysius GonzagaAloysius Gonzaga1568–1591 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.88
  48. 48Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.87
  49. 49Silvio PellicoSilvio Pellico1789–1854 · 19th century · Writers0.87
  50. 50Cesare CantùCesare Cantù1804–1895 · 19th century · Writers0.87
  51. 51Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.85
  52. 52Vincenzo GiobertiVincenzo Gioberti1801–1852 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.85
  53. 53Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio1313–1375 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.85
  54. 54Francesco RediFrancesco Redi1626–1697 · 17th century · Doctors0.85
  55. 55Francesco GonzagaFrancesco Gonzaga1444–1483 · 15th century0.84
  56. 56Franco SacchettiFranco Sacchetti1332–1400 · 14th century · Writers0.82
  57. 57Teodato IpatoTeodato Ipato750–800 · 8th century · Politicians0.80
  58. 58Salvator RosaSalvator Rosa1615–1673 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.76
  59. 59Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno1548–1600 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.75
  60. 60Girolamo SavonarolaGirolamo Savonarola1452–1498 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.74
  61. 61Domenico PassignanoDomenico Passignano1559–1638 · 16th century · Artists0.74
  62. 62Paolo SarpiPaolo Sarpi1552–1623 · 16th century · Academics0.73
  63. 63ParmigianinoParmigianino1503–1540 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.72
  64. 64Paolo GiovioPaolo Giovio1483–1552 · 16th century · Writers0.71
  65. 65Massimo d'AzeglioMassimo d'Azeglio1798–1866 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.71
  66. 66AMAldus Manutius the Younger1547–1597 · 16th century0.71
  67. 67Aldus ManutiusAldus Manutius1449–1515 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy0.71
  68. 68Bernardo TassoBernardo Tasso1493–1569 · 16th century · Writers0.71
  69. 69Lucrezia BorgiaLucrezia Borgia1480–1519 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.69
  70. 70Pietro da CortonaPietro da Cortona1596–1669 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.69
  71. 71MVMatteo Villani1283–1363 · 14th century · Writers0.68
  72. 72Francesco Scipione, marchese di MaffeiFrancesco Scipione, marchese di Maffei1675–1755 · 18th century · Writers0.66
  73. 73Luigi AlamanniLuigi Alamanni1495–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.65
  74. 74Vittoria ColonnaVittoria Colonna1492–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.64
  75. 75Pietro VerriPietro Verri1728–1797 · 18th century · Academics0.64
  76. 76PinturicchioPinturicchio1454–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.64
  77. 77Giuliano de' MediciGiuliano de' Medici1453–1478 · 15th century · Politicians0.62
  78. 78Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.62
  79. 79Filippo VillaniFilippo Villani1325–1407 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.62
  80. 80Paulus ManutiusPaulus Manutius1512–1574 · 16th century · Writers0.61
  81. 81Catherine de' MediciCatherine de' Medici1519–1589 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.60
  82. 82Scipione AmmiratoScipione Ammirato1531–1601 · 16th century · Writers0.58
  83. 83Bernardino of SienaBernardino of Siena1380–1444 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.58
  84. 84Francesco FilelfoFrancesco Filelfo1398–1481 · 15th century · Academics0.56
  85. 85Andrea GrittiAndrea Gritti1455–1538 · 15th century · Politicians0.56
  86. 86PontormoPontormo1494–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.52
  87. 87Antonio RosminiAntonio Rosmini1797–1855 · 19th century · Academics0.51
  88. 88Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects0.49
  89. 89Francesco FoscariFrancesco Foscari1373–1457 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.47
  90. 90Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.47
  91. 91Andrea DandoloAndrea Dandolo1306–1354 · 14th century · Politicians0.45
  92. 92Alessandro CagliostroAlessandro Cagliostro1743–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.45
  93. 93Francesco VettoriFrancesco Vettori1474–1540 · 16th century · Writers0.45
  94. 94Leandro AlbertiLeandro Alberti1479–1552 · 16th century · Writers0.45
  95. 95Amerigo VespucciAmerigo Vespucci1454–1512 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.44
  96. 96Erasmo of NarniErasmo of Narni1370–1443 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy0.44
  97. 97Anton Maria SalviniAnton Maria Salvini1653–1729 · 17th century · Writers0.43
  98. 98MichelangeloMichelangelo1475–1564 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.43
  99. 99Francesca da RiminiFrancesca da Rimini1259–1285 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.42
  100. 100Antonio CanovaAntonio Canova1757–1822 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.42

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 19th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Henri BergsonHenri Bergson1859–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  2. 2Émile DurkheimÉmile Durkheim1858–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  3. 3Thérèse of LisieuxThérèse of Lisieux1873–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics10 decades
  4. 4Henri PoincaréHenri Poincaré1854–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  5. 5Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics22 decades
  6. 6Jean-François ChampollionJean-François Champollion1790–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  7. 7Évariste GaloisÉvariste Galois1811–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  8. 8Joseph FourierJoseph Fourier1768–1830 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  9. 9Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics17 decades
  10. 10Gustave Le BonGustave Le Bon1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  11. 11Sophie GermainSophie Germain1776–1831 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics18 decades
  12. 12Vilfredo ParetoVilfredo Pareto1848–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  13. 13Charles FourierCharles Fourier1772–1837 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  14. 14François AragoFrançois Arago1786–1853 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics18 decades
  15. 15Augustin-Louis CauchyAugustin-Louis Cauchy1789–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  16. 16Frédéric BastiatFrédéric Bastiat1801–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics18 decades
  17. 17Allan KardecAllan Kardec1804–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  18. 18Louis Auguste BlanquiLouis Auguste Blanqui1805–1881 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  19. 19Georges SorelGeorges Sorel1847–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  20. 20Henri FayolHenri Fayol1841–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  21. 21Jean-Baptiste SayJean-Baptiste Say1767–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics21 decades
  22. 22Léon WalrasLéon Walras1834–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  23. 23Alphonse BertillonAlphonse Bertillon1853–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  24. 24Charles HermiteCharles Hermite1822–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  25. 25Émile CouéÉmile Coué1857–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1 decades
  26. 26Paul PainlevéPaul Painlevé1863–1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  27. 27Gaspard-Gustave de CoriolisGaspard-Gustave de Coriolis1792–1843 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  28. 28Joseph LiouvilleJoseph Liouville1809–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  29. 29Camille JordanCamille Jordan1838–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  30. 30Pierre JanetPierre Janet1859–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics14 decades
  31. 31Gabriel TardeGabriel Tarde1843–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics14 decades
  32. 32Frédéric PassyFrédéric Passy1822–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics17 decades
  33. 33Lucien Lévy-BruhlLucien Lévy-Bruhl1857–1939 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  34. 34Gaston MasperoGaston Maspero1846–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  35. 35Auguste MarietteAuguste Mariette1821–1881 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics11 decades
  36. 36Charles Émile PicardCharles Émile Picard1856–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  37. 37Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics20 decades
  38. 38Étienne CabetÉtienne Cabet1788–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics3 decades
  39. 39Józef Maria Hoene-WrońskiJózef Maria Hoene-Wroński1776–1853 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  40. 40Jean Charles Léonard de SismondiJean Charles Léonard de Sismondi1773–1842 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  41. 41Michel ChaslesMichel Chasles1793–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  42. 42Maurice BlondelMaurice Blondel1861–1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  43. 43Antoine Augustin CournotAntoine Augustin Cournot1801–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  44. 44Michel BréalMichel Bréal1832–1915 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  45. 45Jean Gaston DarbouxJean Gaston Darboux1842–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics10 decades
  46. 46Édouard LucasÉdouard Lucas1842–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2 decades
  47. 47Pierre Guillaume Frédéric le PlayPierre Guillaume Frédéric le Play1806–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics14 decades
  48. 48Émile LittréÉmile Littré1801–1881 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  49. 49Jean-Victor PonceletJean-Victor Poncelet1788–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  50. 50Alfred LoisyAlfred Loisy1857–1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics12 decades
  51. 51Pierre LaroussePierre Larousse1817–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  52. 52Charles LavigerieCharles Lavigerie1825–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2 decades
  53. 53Gabriel LaméGabriel Lamé1795–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  54. 54Pierre LerouxPierre Leroux1797–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics22 decades
  55. 55Théodule-Armand RibotThéodule-Armand Ribot1839–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  56. 56Étienne-Louis MalusÉtienne-Louis Malus1775–1812 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  57. 57Charles Bernard RenouvierCharles Bernard Renouvier1815–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  58. 58Jules Barthélemy-Saint-HilaireJules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire1805–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  59. 59Émile BoutrouxÉmile Boutroux1845–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics10 decades
  60. 60Georges Vacher de LapougeGeorges Vacher de Lapouge1854–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  61. 61François MagendieFrançois Magendie1783–1855 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics4 decades
  62. 62Jacques Boucher de Crèvecœur de PerthesJacques Boucher de Crèvecœur de Perthes1788–1868 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2 decades
  63. 63Charles-Édouard Brown-SéquardCharles-Édouard Brown-Séquard1817–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  64. 64Joseph BertrandJoseph Bertrand1822–1900 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics19 decades
  65. 65Jacques de MorganJacques de Morgan1857–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics14 decades
  66. 66Jane DieulafoyJane Dieulafoy1851–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  67. 67Thomas Joannes StieltjesThomas Joannes Stieltjes1856–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  68. 68Jean-Jacques AmpèreJean-Jacques Ampère1800–1864 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics16 decades
  69. 69Louis BillotLouis Billot1846–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  70. 70Édouard SchuréÉdouard Schuré1841–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  71. 71Charles GideCharles Gide1847–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  72. 72Julie-Victoire DaubiéJulie-Victoire Daubié1824–1874 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  73. 73Félix Ravaisson-MollienFélix Ravaisson-Mollien1813–1900 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  74. 74Léon DuguitLéon Duguit1859–1928 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  75. 75Achille ValenciennesAchille Valenciennes1794–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  76. 76Victor BaschVictor Basch1863–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  77. 77Barthélemy-Prosper EnfantinBarthélemy-Prosper Enfantin1796–1864 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  78. 78Antonin SertillangesAntonin Sertillanges1863–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  79. 79Paul AppellPaul Appell1855–1930 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  80. 80Jacques Philippe Marie BinetJacques Philippe Marie Binet1786–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  81. 81Michel ChevalierMichel Chevalier1806–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  82. 82Henri Milne-EdwardsHenri Milne-Edwards1800–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics3 decades
  83. 83Louis PoinsotLouis Poinsot1777–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  84. 84Jacques-Joseph ChampollionJacques-Joseph Champollion1778–1867 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  85. 85Jean-Pierre Abel-RémusatJean-Pierre Abel-Rémusat1788–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  86. 86Victor Prosper ConsiderantVictor Prosper Considerant1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  87. 87Paul JanetPaul Janet1823–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  88. 88Joseph Valentin BoussinesqJoseph Valentin Boussinesq1842–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1 decades
  89. 89Paul GervaisPaul Gervais1816–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics14 decades
  90. 90Pierre Alphonse LaurentPierre Alphonse Laurent1813–1854 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  91. 91Paul-Émile BottaPaul-Émile Botta1802–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  92. 92Nicolas Théodore de SaussureNicolas Théodore de Saussure1767–1845 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0 decades
  93. 93Émile Étienne GuimetÉmile Étienne Guimet1836–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  94. 94PWPierre Wantzel1814–1848 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  95. 95Charles DupinCharles Dupin1784–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics21 decades
  96. 96Alexandre Saint-Yves d'AlveydreAlexandre Saint-Yves d'Alveydre1842–1909 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  97. 97Adhémar Jean Claude Barré de Saint-VenantAdhémar Jean Claude Barré de Saint-Venant1797–1886 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  98. 98Alphonse PénaudAlphonse Pénaud1850–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Academicsnot measured
  99. 99Clémence RoyerClémence Royer1830–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics15 decades
  100. 100PFPierre Frédéric Sarrus1798–1861 · 🇫🇷 France · 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.