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

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  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.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇹 Austria🇹🇷 Turkey🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllPoliticiansWritersHistorical FiguresScientistsAcademicsArtistsMusiciansDoctorsFoundersJournalists
  1. 1Mary CassattMary Cassatt1844–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  2. 2John Singer SargentJohn Singer Sargent1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists11 decades
  3. 3James Abbott McNeill WhistlerJames Abbott McNeill Whistler1834–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  4. 4John James AudubonJohn James Audubon1785–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists19 decades
  5. 5Alfred StieglitzAlfred Stieglitz1864–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists13 decades
  6. 6Thomas ColeThomas Cole1801–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists22 decades
  7. 7Winslow HomerWinslow Homer1836–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists15 decades
  8. 8Frederic Edwin ChurchFrederic Edwin Church1826–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  9. 9Albert BierstadtAlbert Bierstadt1830–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  10. 10Grandma MosesGrandma Moses1860–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists8 decades
  11. 11Thomas EakinsThomas Eakins1844–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  12. 12Thomas NastThomas Nast1840–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists16 decades
  13. 13Mathew Benjamin BradyMathew Benjamin Brady1822–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  14. 14Jacob RiisJacob Riis1849–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists13 decades
  15. 15George CatlinGeorge Catlin1796–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists18 decades
  16. 16Edmonia LewisEdmonia Lewis1844–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists1 decades
  17. 17Frederic RemingtonFrederic Remington1861–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists13 decades
  18. 18Howard PyleHoward Pyle1853–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists14 decades
  19. 19Robert CorneliusRobert Cornelius1809–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists2 decades
  20. 20Childe HassamChilde Hassam1859–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists13 decades
  21. 21Daniel Chester FrenchDaniel Chester French1850–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists12 decades
  22. 22Emanuel LeutzeEmanuel Leutze1816–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  23. 23Charles Marion RussellCharles Marion Russell1864–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  24. 24Edwin Austin AbbeyEdwin Austin Abbey1852–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists2 decades
  25. 25Sarah GoodridgeSarah Goodridge1788–1853 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  26. 26Henry Ossawa TannerHenry Ossawa Tanner1859–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  27. 27Augustus Saint-GaudensAugustus Saint-Gaudens1848–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  28. 28George InnessGeorge Inness1825–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists14 decades
  29. 29William Merritt ChaseWilliam Merritt Chase1849–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  30. 30Cassius Marcellus CoolidgeCassius Marcellus Coolidge1844–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  31. 31Albert Pinkham RyderAlbert Pinkham Ryder1847–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  32. 32Asher Brown DurandAsher Brown Durand1796–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  33. 33Francis Davis MilletFrancis Davis Millet1848–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  34. 34Cecilia BeauxCecilia Beaux1855–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists5 decades
  35. 35Gertrude KäsebierGertrude Käsebier1852–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  36. 36Rembrandt PealeRembrandt Peale1778–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  37. 37George Caleb BinghamGeorge Caleb Bingham1811–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists7 decades
  38. 38John La FargeJohn La Farge1835–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists15 decades
  39. 39Edward HicksEdward Hicks1780–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  40. 40Richard F. OutcaultRichard F. Outcault1863–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  41. 41Martin Johnson HeadeMartin Johnson Heade1819–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  42. 42John Frederick KensettJohn Frederick Kensett1816–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  43. 43Elizabeth Jane GardnerElizabeth Jane Gardner1837–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  44. 44Rain-in-the-FaceRain-in-the-Face1835–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  45. 45Jessie Willcox SmithJessie Willcox Smith1863–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  46. 46Anna Elizabeth KlumpkeAnna Elizabeth Klumpke1856–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  47. 47Alexander GardnerAlexander Gardner1821–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  48. 48Lilla Cabot PerryLilla Cabot Perry1848–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  49. 49Frank Weston BensonFrank Weston Benson1862–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Washington AllstonWashington Allston1779–1843 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists20 decades
  51. 51Thomas SullyThomas Sully1783–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  52. 52Carl AkeleyCarl Akeley1864–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  53. 53Harriet HosmerHarriet Hosmer1830–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  54. 54Abbott Handerson ThayerAbbott Handerson Thayer1849–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  55. 55Jean Leon Gerome FerrisJean Leon Gerome Ferris1863–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  56. 56Eastman JohnsonEastman Johnson1824–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  57. 57Arthur Wesley DowArthur Wesley Dow1857–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  58. 58Jasper Francis CropseyJasper Francis Cropsey1823–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  59. 59Robert Seldon DuncansonRobert Seldon Duncanson1821–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  60. 60Frederick Arthur BridgmanFrederick Arthur Bridgman1847–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  61. 61Sanford Robinson GiffordSanford Robinson Gifford1823–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  62. 62George Peter Alexander HealyGeorge Peter Alexander Healy1813–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  63. 63Maurice PrendergastMaurice Prendergast1858–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  64. 64John Henry TwachtmanJohn Henry Twachtman1853–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  65. 65Edwin Lord WeeksEdwin Lord Weeks1849–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  66. 66Theodore RobinsonTheodore Robinson1852–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  67. 67Willard MetcalfWillard Metcalf1858–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  68. 68Edward Mitchell BannisterEdward Mitchell Bannister1828–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  69. 69Edward Henry PotthastEdward Henry Potthast1857–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  70. 70Abigail May Alcott NierikerAbigail May Alcott Nieriker1840–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  71. 71William Morris HuntWilliam Morris Hunt1824–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  72. 72Ralph Albert BlakelockRalph Albert Blakelock1847–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  73. 73Elihu VedderElihu Vedder1836–1923 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  74. 74Colin Campbell CooperColin Campbell Cooper1856–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  75. 75Harriet PowersHarriet Powers1837–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  76. 76William Henry JacksonWilliam Henry Jackson1843–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  77. 77Frank M. ChapmanFrank M. Chapman1864–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists9 decades
  78. 78Elisabet NeyElisabet Ney1833–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  79. 79Samuel ColmanSamuel Colman1832–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  80. 80Samuel Wendell WillistonSamuel Wendell Williston1851–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  81. 81Kenyon CoxKenyon Cox1856–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  82. 82Albert Henry MunsellAlbert Henry Munsell1858–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  83. 83Thomas DewingThomas Dewing1851–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Hiram PowersHiram Powers1805–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  85. 85J. Alden WeirJ. Alden Weir1852–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  86. 86Cyrus Edwin DallinCyrus Edwin Dallin1861–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  87. 87Edmund Charles TarbellEdmund Charles Tarbell1862–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  88. 88William Wetmore StoryWilliam Wetmore Story1819–1895 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  89. 89John VanderlynJohn Vanderlyn1775–1852 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  90. 90F. Holland DayF. Holland Day1864–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  91. 91Lorado TaftLorado Taft1860–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  92. 92Emma StebbinsEmma Stebbins1815–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  93. 93John White AlexanderJohn White Alexander1856–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  94. 94Thomas CrawfordThomas Crawford1814–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  95. 95Eliza Ruhamah ScidmoreEliza Ruhamah Scidmore1856–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  96. 96Charles Robert LeslieCharles Robert Leslie1794–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  97. 97Thomas Pollock AnshutzThomas Pollock Anshutz1851–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98George Brant BridgmanGeorge Brant Bridgman1864–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  99. 99Charles Bird KingCharles Bird King1785–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  100. 100James B. LongacreJames B. Longacre1794–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot 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.