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. 1Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  2. 2Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe1809–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  3. 3Thomas EdisonThomas Edison1847–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists13 decades
  4. 4Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  6. 6James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield1831–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  7. 7Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  8. 8William McKinleyWilliam McKinley1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  9. 9Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  10. 10Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant1822–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  11. 11Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau1817–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  12. 12John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller1839–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders14 decades
  13. 13James BuchananJames Buchanan1791–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  14. 14Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell1847–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists15 decades
  15. 15Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman1821–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  16. 16Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland1837–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  17. 17Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  18. 18Emily DickinsonEmily Dickinson1830–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  19. 19Joseph SmithJoseph Smith1805–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  20. 20Robert E. LeeRobert E. Lee1807–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists16 decades
  21. 21Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson1803–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  22. 22Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur1829–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  23. 23Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  24. 24Sitting BullSitting Bull1831–1890 · 🇺🇸 United States15 decades
  25. 25John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams1767–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  26. 26Herman MelvilleHerman Melville1819–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  27. 27Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie1835–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  28. 28P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum1810–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  29. 29Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  30. 30William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft1857–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  31. 31Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren1782–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  32. 32J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  33. 33William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison1773–1841 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  34. 34Billy the KidBilly the Kid1859–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States12 decades
  35. 35Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce1804–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  36. 36GeronimoGeronimo1829–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actorsnot measured
  37. 37John DeweyJohn Dewey1859–1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  38. 38Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  39. 39Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  40. 40James K. PolkJames K. Polk1795–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  41. 41William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics18 decades
  42. 42Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor1784–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  43. 43John TylerJohn Tyler1790–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  44. 44Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  45. 45Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott1832–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  46. 46Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass1818–1895 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  47. 47Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne1804–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers19 decades
  48. 48Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison1833–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  49. 49Harriet Beecher StoweHarriet Beecher Stowe1811–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers17 decades
  50. 50Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore1800–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  51. 51Samuel MorseSamuel Morse1791–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0 decades
  52. 52John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders22 decades
  53. 53George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer1839–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures7 decades
  54. 54James Fenimore CooperJames Fenimore Cooper1789–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  55. 55Mary CassattMary Cassatt1844–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  56. 56Edith WhartonEdith Wharton1862–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  57. 57Nellie BlyNellie Bly1864–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  58. 58Levi StraussLevi Strauss1829–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders11 decades
  59. 59Jesse JamesJesse James1847–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States14 decades
  60. 60Washington IrvingWashington Irving1783–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers22 decades
  61. 61John Wilkes BoothJohn Wilkes Booth1838–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors16 decades
  62. 62Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics19 decades
  63. 63John Singer SargentJohn Singer Sargent1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists11 decades
  64. 64Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce1842–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  65. 65Charles Sanders PeirceCharles Sanders Peirce1839–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics9 decades
  66. 66Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer1847–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  67. 67Henry Wadsworth LongfellowHenry Wadsworth Longfellow1807–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers18 decades
  68. 68Buffalo BillBuffalo Bill1846–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  69. 69Crazy HorseCrazy Horse1849–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  70. 70Susan B. AnthonySusan B. Anthony1820–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers16 decades
  71. 71L. Frank BaumL. Frank Baum1856–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  72. 72Sojourner TruthSojourner Truth1797–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  73. 73William Tecumseh ShermanWilliam Tecumseh Sherman1820–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  74. 74Jane AddamsJane Addams1860–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  75. 75Davy CrockettDavy Crockett1786–1836 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  76. 76John MuirJohn Muir1838–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  77. 77Wilhelm SteinitzWilhelm Steinitz1836–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes0 decades
  78. 78John J. PershingJohn J. Pershing1860–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Lawyers12 decades
  79. 79William Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph Hearst1863–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  80. 80James Abbott McNeill WhistlerJames Abbott McNeill Whistler1834–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  81. 81Samuel ColtSamuel Colt1814–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists18 decades
  82. 82LiliʻuokalaniLiliʻuokalani1838–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured
  83. 83Frances Hodgson BurnettFrances Hodgson Burnett1849–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers15 decades
  84. 84Cornelius VanderbiltCornelius Vanderbilt1794–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders18 decades
  85. 85Stonewall JacksonStonewall Jackson1824–1863 · 🇺🇸 United States16 decades
  86. 86Robert PearyRobert Peary1856–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures3 decades
  87. 87George Washington CarverGeorge Washington Carver1864–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists9 decades
  88. 88Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp1848–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  89. 89Franz BoasFranz Boas1858–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics14 decades
  90. 90Frederick Winslow TaylorFrederick Winslow Taylor1856–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists8 decades
  91. 91John James AudubonJohn James Audubon1785–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists19 decades
  92. 92SacagaweaSacagawea1788–1812 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures9 decades
  93. 93Antonio MeucciAntonio Meucci1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists14 decades
  94. 94TecumsehTecumseh1768–1813 · 🇺🇸 United Statesnot measured
  95. 95Paul MorphyPaul Morphy1837–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States7 decades
  96. 96John Stith PembertonJohn Stith Pemberton1831–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists19 decades
  97. 97Kamehameha IKamehameha I1800–1819 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures13 decades
  98. 98Sam HoustonSam Houston1793–1863 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  99. 99Thorstein VeblenThorstein Veblen1857–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics11 decades
  100. 100Robert FultonRobert Fulton1765–1815 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists22 decades

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.