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 Hebrew books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.
In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
#PersonIn print, 1800–2019Per million words
- 1
Rav Ashi352–427 · 4th century13 - 2
Haggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures12 - 3SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century12
- 4NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century11
- 5
Habakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures7.3 - 6
Johanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC4.8 - 7
Saadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics3.7 - 8SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century3.4
- 9
Hai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers2.9 - 10
Hillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC2.9
- 11
Sabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures2.3 - 12
Ahad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers2.2 - 13SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers2.1
- 14
Isaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics1.6 - 15JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics1.5
- 16
Judas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures1.3
- 17HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century1.3
- 18
Menasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics1.2 - 19JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
- 20YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers0.99
- 21EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.89
- 22
Rabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83 - 23
Josephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers0.74 - 24
Amram Gaon810–875 · 9th century0.67 - 25
Chaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.66 - 26EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.65
- 27
Azariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers0.64 - 28ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
- 29
Abraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.61 - 30
Hasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.59 - 31
Joseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.58 - 32MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.56
- 33
Dunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.53 - 34JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.50
- 35
Hayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians0.50 - 36MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.49
- 37
Yehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.47 - 38
Shabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.47 - 39
Jacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.37
- 40
Eleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.36 - 41
Jonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.35 - 42JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.30
- 43
Nathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.29 - 44
Isaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.26 - 45
Moshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.26
- 46
Yonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.26 - 47
Solomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics0.25 - 48
Immanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.25
- 49PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.23
- 50IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.22
- 51MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.22
- 52OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.22
- 53
Joel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.21 - 54
Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.20 - 55
Paul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.19 - 56RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.18
- 57
Moses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century0.17 - 58
Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.17
- 59
Shimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century0.16 - 60
Baruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.15 - 61
Onias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.14 - 62JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.14
- 63
Menaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.14 - 64
Moses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.13 - 65
Chaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.12
- 66JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.11
- 67
Baal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century0.11 - 68SOShemariah of Negropont1275–1352 · 14th century · Academics0.11
- 69BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.11
- 70ABAbraham ben Samuel ibn Hasdai ha-Levi1180–1240 · 13th century · Writers0.10
- 71TBTobiah ben Eliezer1080–1150 · 12th century · Actors0.10
- 72IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.09
- 73
Joseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.09 - 74
Moses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.08
- 75
Eliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.08 - 76
Herod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.07
- 77ADAbraham de Balmes1440–1523 · 15th century · Doctors0.07
- 78
Mendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers0.07 - 79IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.06
- 80
Jacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.05 - 81
Tzvi Ashkenazi1660–1718 · 17th century0.05 - 82
Ben Sira300 BC–150 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.05 - 83CBChananel ben Chushiel990–1053 · 11th century · Actors0.05
- 84
Shneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.05 - 85
Benjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.04 - 86LBLevi ben Abraham ben Hayyimborn 1245 · 13th century · Writers0.04
- 87
Joseph ben Judah ibn Aknin1150–1266 · 12th century · Academics0.03 - 88
Daniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.03
- 89BHBerechiah ha-Nakdan1200–1300 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.03
- 90
Shalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.03 - 91NBNissim ben Jacob990–1062 · 11th century · Writers0.03
- 92YBYefet ben Ali950–1010 · 10th century · Actors0.03
- 93IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.03
- 94
Menahem Recanati1250–1310 · 13th century · Musicians0.03 - 95
Elia del Medigo1458–1497 · 15th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Academics0.03 - 96ISIbn Shaprutborn 1400 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.03
- 97
Judah ben David Hayyuj945–1000 · 10th century · Writers0.02
- 98IBIsaac ben Moses of Vienna1180–1250 · 13th century · Writers0.02
- 99
Ishtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.02 - 100
Nachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.02
Lived then
The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 19th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.
#PersonIn print, 1800–2019Echoed
- 1
Karl Marx1818–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades - 2
Friedrich Nietzsche1844–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 3
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel1770–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades - 4
Carl Friedrich Gauss1777–1855 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics11 decades - 5
Max Weber1864–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 6
Friedrich Engels1820–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades - 7
Ludwig Feuerbach1804–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics19 decades - 8
Theodor Mommsen1817–1903 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics18 decades - 9
Wilhelm von Humboldt1767–1835 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades - 10
Bernhard Riemann1826–1866 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12 decades - 11
Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling1775–1854 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades - 12
Jacob Grimm1785–1863 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades - 13
Heinrich Schliemann1822–1890 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 14
Gottlob Frege1848–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades - 15
Wilhelm Wundt1832–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 16
Karl Weierstrass1815–1897 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades - 17
Peter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet1805–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades - 18
Carl Gustav Jacob Jacobi1804–1851 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1 decades - 19
Felix Klein1849–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 20
Max Müller1823–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics5 decades - 21
Houston Stewart Chamberlain1855–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 22
August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben1798–1874 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics6 decades - 23
Emil Kraepelin1856–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics14 decades - 24
Bruno Bauer1809–1882 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics19 decades - 25
August Ferdinand Möbius1790–1868 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics3 decades - 26
Werner Sombart1863–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 27
Franz Brentano1838–1917 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics16 decades - 28
Richard Dedekind1831–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades - 29
Moses Hess1812–1875 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 decades - 30
Hermann Ebbinghaus1850–1909 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics7 decades - 31
Ferdinand Tönnies1855–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 32
Johann Friedrich Herbart1776–1841 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades - 33
Friedrich Ratzel1844–1904 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 34
Adolf von Harnack1851–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics11 decades - 35
Silvio Gesell1862–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics11 decades - 36
Rudolf Christoph Eucken1846–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 37
Ferdinand von Lindemann1852–1939 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades - 38
Eugen Dühring1833–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics14 decades - 39
Carl David Tolmé Runge1856–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics6 decades - 40
Konrad Duden1829–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 decades - 41
Rudolf von Jhering1818–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades - 42
Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff1848–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 43
Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen1818–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades - 44
Hermann Schwarz1843–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2 decades - 45
Heinrich Rickert1863–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 46
Hans Vaihinger1852–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 47
Theodor Nöldeke1836–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics16 decades - 48
Adolf Hurwitz1859–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4 decades - 49
Johann Friedrich Pfaff1765–1825 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades - 50
Oscar Hertwig1849–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 decades - 51
Carl Stumpf1848–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 52
Kurt Hensel1861–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2 decades - 53
Ernst Schröder1841–1902 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades - 54
Fritz Mauthner1849–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics14 decades - 55
Max Noether1844–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2 decades
- 56
Wilhelm Killing1847–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades - 57
Hermann Diels1848–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics14 decades - 58
Carl Neumann1832–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades - 59
Lujo Brentano1844–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 60
Adolf Kußmaul1822–1902 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 61
Franz von Liszt1851–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 62
Heinrich Leberecht Fleischer1801–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 63
Friedrich von Esmarch1823–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 64
Hermann Gunkel1862–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12 decades - 65
Georg Friedrich Knapp1842–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 66
Moritz Cantor1829–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics6 decades - 67
Otto Hirschfeld1843–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 68
Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz1836–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 69
Karl Binding1841–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured—
- 70
Gottfried Reinhold Treviranus1776–1837 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 71
Hermann Paul1846–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades - 72
Franz Nissl1860–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 73
Karl Mollweide1774–1825 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 74
Hans von Mangoldt1854–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 75
Georg Dehio1850–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 76
Arthur Moritz Schoenflies1853–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 77
Philipp von Jolly1809–1884 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 78KBKarl Bücher1847–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured—
- 79
Hermann Oldenberg1854–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12 decades - 80
Richard Semon1859–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 81
Walther von Dyck1856–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 82KGKarl Groos1861–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured—
- 83
Rudolf Kittel1853–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 84
Paul Gustav Heinrich Bachmann1837–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 85
Princess Marie of Windisch-Graetz1856–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 86
Fritz Hommel1854–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 87
Henry Thode1857–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 88
Georg Wissowa1859–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 89
Hermann Wilhelm Vogel1834–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 90
Heinrich Dressel1845–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 91
Alexander von Brill1842–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 92
Eduard Sachau1845–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 93
Georg Meissner1829–1905 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 94
Leo Königsberger1837–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 95
Wilhelm Martin Leberecht de Wette1780–1849 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 96
Franz von Leydig1821–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 97
Heinrich Pesch1854–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 98
Otto Franke1863–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 99
Friedrich Jodl1849–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academicsnot measured— - 100
Rudolf Buchheim1820–1879 · 🇩🇪 Germany · 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.