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. 1Theodor HerzlTheodor Herzl1860–1904 · Journalists13 decades
  2. 2Nellie BlyNellie Bly1864–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  3. 3Henry Morton StanleyHenry Morton Stanley1841–1904 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Journalists7 decades
  4. 4Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce1842–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  5. 5Ida B. WellsIda B. Wells1862–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists6 decades
  6. 6Henry AdamsHenry Adams1838–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists19 decades
  7. 7William Lloyd GarrisonWilliam Lloyd Garrison1805–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists19 decades
  8. 8Carrie Chapman CattCarrie Chapman Catt1859–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists12 decades
  9. 9Frederick Law OlmstedFrederick Law Olmsted1822–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists16 decades
  10. 10Wilhelm LiebknechtWilhelm Liebknecht1826–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Journalists13 decades
  11. 11Soh JaipilSoh Jaipil1864–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  12. 12Melvil DeweyMelvil Dewey1851–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists15 decades
  13. 13Ida TarbellIda Tarbell1857–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists12 decades
  14. 14William Thomas SteadWilliam Thomas Stead1849–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Journalists0 decades
  15. 15Walter BagehotWalter Bagehot1826–1877 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Journalists16 decades
  16. 16Moses MontefioreMoses Montefiore1784–1885 · Journalists19 decades
  17. 17Lucy StoneLucy Stone1818–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists17 decades
  18. 18Andrew Barton PatersonAndrew Barton Paterson1864–1941 · 🇦🇺 Australia · Journalists0 decades
  19. 19Matilde SeraoMatilde Serao1856–1927 · Journalists15 decades
  20. 20Charles DowCharles Dow1851–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists0 decades
  21. 21Hubertine AuclertHubertine Auclert1848–1914 · Journalists7 decades
  22. 22Jules VallèsJules Vallès1832–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists16 decades
  23. 23Lucy ParsonsLucy Parsons1851–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists2 decades
  24. 24Benjamin TuckerBenjamin Tucker1854–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists3 decades
  25. 25Nicolás AvellanedaNicolás Avellaneda1837–1885 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists17 decades
  26. 26Jules GuesdeJules Guesde1845–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists14 decades
  27. 27Draga MašinDraga Mašin1861–1903 · Journalistsnot measured
  28. 28Matilda Joslyn GageMatilda Joslyn Gage1826–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists5 decades
  29. 29Amelia BloomerAmelia Bloomer1818–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists6 decades
  30. 30Jean-Baptiste Henri LacordaireJean-Baptiste Henri Lacordaire1802–1861 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists14 decades
  31. 31Édouard DrumontÉdouard Drumont1844–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists14 decades
  32. 32Bertha PappenheimBertha Pappenheim1859–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Journalists6 decades
  33. 33Isabella BeetonIsabella Beeton1836–1865 · Journalists0 decades
  34. 34Jean-Baptiste Alphonse KarrJean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr1808–1890 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists19 decades
  35. 35Joel Chandler HarrisJoel Chandler Harris1848–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists14 decades
  36. 36Carlos PellegriniCarlos Pellegrini1846–1906 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists15 decades
  37. 37Gaetano MoscaGaetano Mosca1858–1941 · Journalists14 decades
  38. 38Rifa'a at-TahtawiRifa'a at-Tahtawi1801–1873 · Journalists0 decades
  39. 39Vladimir GilyarovskyVladimir Gilyarovsky1855–1935 · Journalists5 decades
  40. 40Wilhelm MarrWilhelm Marr1819–1904 · Journalists10 decades
  41. 41Victor NoirVictor Noir1848–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalistsnot measured
  42. 42Simon Bolivar BucknerSimon Bolivar Buckner1823–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists1 decades
  43. 43Sen KatayamaSen Katayama1859–1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Journalists0 decades
  44. 44Johannes ZukertortJohannes Zukertort1842–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Journalists0 decades
  45. 45Dmitry PisarevDmitry Pisarev1840–1868 · Journalists10 decades
  46. 46Luigi CapuanaLuigi Capuana1839–1915 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists15 decades
  47. 47Cristina Trivulzio BelgiojosoCristina Trivulzio Belgiojoso1808–1871 · Journalists1 decades
  48. 48Daniel De LeonDaniel De Leon1852–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists8 decades
  49. 49Alexandre HerculanoAlexandre Herculano1810–1877 · Journalists0 decades
  50. 50Mariano MorenoMariano Moreno1778–1811 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalistsnot measured
  51. 51August Vincent Theodore SpiesAugust Vincent Theodore Spies1855–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  52. 52Anton DelvigAnton Delvig1798–1831 · Journalists6 decades
  53. 53Jean-Lambert TallienJean-Lambert Tallien1767–1820 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists0 decades
  54. 54Hryhorii Kvitka-OsnovianenkoHryhorii Kvitka-Osnovianenko1778–1843 · Journalists0 decades
  55. 55Rufus Wilmot GriswoldRufus Wilmot Griswold1815–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists0 decades
  56. 56William Lyon MackenzieWilliam Lyon Mackenzie1795–1861 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Journalistsnot measured
  57. 57Ignacio Manuel AltamiranoIgnacio Manuel Altamirano1834–1893 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Journalists15 decades
  58. 58Louis Charles DelescluzeLouis Charles Delescluze1809–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalistsnot measured
  59. 59Enrico FerriEnrico Ferri1856–1929 · Journalists15 decades
  60. 60Ernesto Teodoro MonetaErnesto Teodoro Moneta1833–1918 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists11 decades
  61. 61Helen Churchill CandeeHelen Churchill Candee1858–1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  62. 62Marguerite DurandMarguerite Durand1864–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists13 decades
  63. 63Gideon WellesGideon Welles1802–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  64. 64Mikhail KatkovMikhail Katkov1818–1887 · Journalists4 decades
  65. 65Francesco Maria PiaveFrancesco Maria Piave1810–1876 · Journalists15 decades
  66. 66Henri RochefortHenri Rochefort1831–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists17 decades
  67. 67Maximilian HardenMaximilian Harden1861–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Journalistsnot measured
  68. 68Félix FénéonFélix Fénéon1861–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists13 decades
  69. 69Élie DucommunÉlie Ducommun1833–1906 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Journalists0 decades
  70. 70Albert ParsonsAlbert Parsons1848–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  71. 71Helen Hunt JacksonHelen Hunt Jackson1830–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists14 decades
  72. 72Nathan BirnbaumNathan Birnbaum1864–1937 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Journalistsnot measured
  73. 73Henry Jarvis RaymondHenry Jarvis Raymond1820–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  74. 74William Howard RussellWilliam Howard Russell1820–1907 · Journalists10 decades
  75. 75Alfred Hermann FriedAlfred Hermann Fried1864–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Journalists3 decades
  76. 76Friedrich Albert LangeFriedrich Albert Lange1828–1875 · Journalists15 decades
  77. 77Michael DavittMichael Davitt1846–1906 · Journalistsnot measured
  78. 78Adolph OchsAdolph Ochs1858–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  79. 79Bat MastersonBat Masterson1853–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  80. 80Maria DeraismesMaria Deraismes1828–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists9 decades
  81. 81Pieter Jelles TroelstraPieter Jelles Troelstra1860–1930 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Journalists0 decades
  82. 82Anna WhitlockAnna Whitlock1852–1930 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Journalistsnot measured
  83. 83Louise Otto-PetersLouise Otto-Peters1819–1895 · Journalistsnot measured
  84. 84Edwin ArnoldEdwin Arnold1832–1904 · Journalists17 decades
  85. 85Aleksey SuvorinAleksey Suvorin1834–1912 · Journalistsnot measured
  86. 86Sydney SmithSydney Smith1771–1845 · Journalists22 decades
  87. 87Lysander SpoonerLysander Spooner1808–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists2 decades
  88. 88Laurence OliphantLaurence Oliphant1829–1888 · Journalistsnot measured
  89. 89James Gordon Bennett Jr.James Gordon Bennett Jr.1841–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  90. 90Luiz GamaLuiz Gama1830–1882 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Journalistsnot measured
  91. 91José María de PeredaJosé María de Pereda1833–1906 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Journalists16 decades
  92. 92Bharatendu HarishchandraBharatendu Harishchandra1850–1885 · Journalistsnot measured
  93. 93Maurice JolyMaurice Joly1829–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalistsnot measured
  94. 94Frances Benjamin JohnstonFrances Benjamin Johnston1864–1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  95. 95José Joaquín Fernández de LizardiJosé Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi1776–1827 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Journalistsnot measured
  96. 96Henry HyndmanHenry Hyndman1842–1921 · Journalists0 decades
  97. 97Abderrashid IbrahimAbderrashid Ibrahim1857–1944 · Journalistsnot measured
  98. 98Louis VeuillotLouis Veuillot1813–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalistsnot measured
  99. 99Ernest Belfort BaxErnest Belfort Bax1854–1926 · Journalists0 decades
  100. 100Anna Maria MozzoniAnna Maria Mozzoni1837–1920 · Journalistsnot 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.