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. 66Aldus ManutiusAldus Manutius1449–1515 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy0.71
  67. 67AMAldus Manutius the Younger1547–1597 · 16th century0.71
  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. 1Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria1819–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  2. 2Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures13 decades
  3. 3William IV of the United KingdomWilliam IV of the United Kingdom1765–1837 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  4. 4David LivingstoneDavid Livingstone1813–1873 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  5. 5Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace1823–1913 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures15 decades
  6. 6Edward SmithEdward Smith1850–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  7. 7Richard Francis BurtonRichard Francis Burton1821–1890 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2 decades
  8. 8Princess Alice of the United KingdomPrincess Alice of the United Kingdom1843–1878 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  9. 9George EverestGeorge Everest1790–1866 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2 decades
  10. 10George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of KedlestonGeorge Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston1859–1925 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  11. 11Princess Charlotte of WalesPrincess Charlotte of Wales1796–1817 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  12. 12John FranklinJohn Franklin1786–1847 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  13. 13Princess Beatrice of the United KingdomPrincess Beatrice of the United Kingdom1857–1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  14. 14Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and StrathearnPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn1767–1820 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  15. 15Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and GothaAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha1844–1900 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  16. 16Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and AvondalePrince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale1864–1892 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  17. 17Princess Helena of the United KingdomPrincess Helena of the United Kingdom1846–1923 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  18. 18Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and StrathearnPrince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn1850–1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  19. 19Princess Louise, Duchess of ArgyllPrincess Louise, Duchess of Argyll1848–1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  20. 20Matthew FlindersMatthew Flinders1774–1814 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures15 decades
  21. 21Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of SussexPrince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex1773–1843 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  22. 22Robert FitzroyRobert Fitzroy1805–1865 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  23. 23Charlotte, Princess RoyalCharlotte, Princess Royal1766–1828 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  24. 24Princess Mary of the United KingdomPrincess Mary of the United Kingdom1776–1857 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  25. 25Cecilia Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and KinghorneCecilia Bowes-Lyon, Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne1862–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  26. 26Princess Amelia of the United KingdomPrincess Amelia of the United Kingdom1783–1810 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  27. 27Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and KinghorneClaude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne1855–1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  28. 28Frederick Lugard, 1st Baron LugardFrederick Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard1858–1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  29. 29Princess Augusta Sophia of the United KingdomPrincess Augusta Sophia of the United Kingdom1768–1840 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  30. 30Francis YounghusbandFrancis Younghusband1863–1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures9 decades
  31. 31Francis CrozierFrancis Crozier1796–1848 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  32. 32Gregor MacGregorGregor MacGregor1786–1845 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  33. 33Archduchess Clotilde, Archduchess Joseph Karl of AustriaArchduchess Clotilde, Archduchess Joseph Karl of Austria1846–1927 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  34. 34George BackGeorge Back1796–1878 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  35. 35William John BankesWilliam John Bankes1786–1855 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  36. 36Frederick George JacksonFrederick George Jackson1860–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  37. 37Laurence WaddellLaurence Waddell1854–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  38. 38Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of LonsdaleHugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale1857–1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  39. 39Horatio Thomas AustinHoratio Thomas Austin1800–1865 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  40. 40Frederick John JacksonFrederick John Jackson1860–1929 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  41. 41DBDavid Buchan1780–1838 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  42. 42George PowellGeorge Powell1794–1824 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  43. 43Mabel BentMabel Bent1847–1929 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  44. 44Maud Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of LansdowneMaud Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne1850–1932 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  45. 45Peter DillonPeter Dillon1788–1847 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  46. 46JBJohn Beecroft1790–1854 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  47. 47George Rous, 3rd Earl of StradbrokeGeorge Rous, 3rd Earl of Stradbroke1862–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  48. 48Pelham AldrichPelham Aldrich1844–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  49. 49Ney EliasNey Elias1844–1897 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  50. 50WHWilliam Hay, 17th Earl of Erroll1772–1819 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  51. 51Trader HornTrader Horn1861–1931 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  52. 52Mary Bruce, Countess of ElginMary Bruce, Countess of Elgin1778–1855 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  53. 53William ChandlessWilliam Chandless1829–1896 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  54. 54St. George LittledaleSt. George Littledale1851–1931 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured
  55. 55Robert Edwin BushRobert Edwin Bush1855–1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 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.