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

  1. 1Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures6.7
  2. 2Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers3.1
  3. 3Nikolai RezanovNikolai Rezanov1764–1807 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.3
  4. 4Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians0.99
  5. 5Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.94
  6. 6Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.86
  7. 7Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.86
  8. 8Nikolay KaramzinNikolay Karamzin1766–1826 · 19th century · Writers0.85
  9. 9Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.83
  10. 10Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.82
  11. 11Nikolay SemyonovNikolay Semyonov1896–1986 · 20th century · Scientists0.75
  12. 12Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.66
  13. 13Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.64
  14. 14Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.62
  15. 15Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.62
  16. 16Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.58
  17. 17Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.57
  18. 18Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians0.53
  19. 19Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.53
  20. 20Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.43
  21. 21Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.42
  22. 22Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.42
  23. 23Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.39
  24. 24Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.39
  25. 25Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.38
  26. 26Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.36
  27. 27Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers0.35
  28. 28Alexander BestuzhevAlexander Bestuzhev1797–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.34
  29. 29Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.33
  30. 30Pyotr PaninPyotr Panin1721–1789 · 18th century0.33
  31. 31Ippolit BogdanovichIppolit Bogdanovich1743–1803 · 18th century · Writers0.33
  32. 32Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.31
  33. 33Stefan YavorskyStefan Yavorsky1658–1722 · 17th century · Academics0.30
  34. 34Grigory PotemkinGrigory Potemkin1739–1791 · 18th century · Politicians0.30
  35. 35Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.29
  36. 36Ivan MazepaIvan Mazepa1639–1709 · 17th century · Politicians0.29
  37. 37Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.29
  38. 38Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.29
  39. 39Vasily Vasilyevich GolitsynVasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn1643–1714 · 17th century · Politicians0.28
  40. 40Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.28
  41. 41Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.28
  42. 42Ivan Ivanovich ShuvalovIvan Ivanovich Shuvalov1727–1797 · 18th century · Writers0.28
  43. 43Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.27
  44. 44Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.26
  45. 45Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.26
  46. 46Dimitry of RostovDimitry of Rostov1651–1709 · 17th century · Writers0.26
  47. 47Alexander GriboyedovAlexander Griboyedov1795–1829 · 19th century · Politicians0.25
  48. 48Alexander HerzenAlexander Herzen1812–1870 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers0.24
  49. 49Vissarion BelinskyVissarion Belinsky1811–1848 · 19th century · Academics0.23
  50. 50Konstantin AksakovKonstantin Aksakov1817–1860 · 19th century · Writers0.23
  51. 51Nikita PaninNikita Panin1718–1783 · 18th century · Politicians0.22
  52. 52Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  53. 53Aleksei Musin-PushkinAleksei Musin-Pushkin1744–1817 · 18th century · Writers0.21
  54. 54Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.21
  55. 55Xenia ShestovaXenia Shestova1560–1631 · 16th century0.20
  56. 56Mikhail LermontovMikhail Lermontov1814–1841 · 19th century · Writers0.19
  57. 57Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.19
  58. 58Pavel FedotovPavel Fedotov1815–1852 · 19th century · Artists0.19
  59. 59Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.19
  60. 60Dmitry ShuiskyDmitry Shuisky1560–1612 · 16th century0.19
  61. 61Alexey VenetsianovAlexey Venetsianov1780–1847 · 19th century · Artists0.18
  62. 62Nikolay Alexandrovich LvovNikolay Alexandrovich Lvov1753–1803 · 18th century · Academics0.18
  63. 63Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.18
  64. 64Fyodor AlekseyevFyodor Alekseyev1755–1824 · 18th century · Artists0.18
  65. 65Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  66. 66Konstantin BatyushkovKonstantin Batyushkov1787–1855 · 19th century · Writers0.15
  67. 67Mykhailo MaksymovychMykhailo Maksymovych1804–1873 · 19th century · Writers0.15
  68. 68Nicholas RepninNicholas Repnin1734–1801 · 18th century · Writers0.15
  69. 69Kirill RazumovskyKirill Razumovsky1728–1803 · 18th century · Politicians0.14
  70. 70Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.14
  71. 71Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.14
  72. 72Nikolai LeskovNikolai Leskov1831–1895 · 19th century · Writers0.13
  73. 73Aleksei Fedorovich AdashevAleksei Fedorovich Adashev1510–1561 · 16th century · Politicians0.13
  74. 74Alexander ShishkovAlexander Shishkov1754–1841 · 18th century · Writers0.13
  75. 75Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.12
  76. 76Alexander MenshikovAlexander Menshikov1673–1729 · 18th century · Politicians0.12
  77. 77Nikolay DobrolyubovNikolay Dobrolyubov1836–1861 · 19th century · Academics0.11
  78. 78Ivan the YoungIvan the Young1458–1490 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.11
  79. 79Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.11
  80. 80Dmitry PozharskyDmitry Pozharsky1577–1642 · 17th century · Politicians0.11
  81. 81Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.10
  82. 82Pyotr Andreyevich TolstoyPyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy1645–1729 · 17th century · Writers0.10
  83. 83Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.10
  84. 84Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.10
  85. 85Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.10
  86. 86Ivan KrylovIvan Krylov1769–1844 · 19th century · Writers0.09
  87. 87Ivan DmitrievIvan Dmitriev1760–1837 · 18th century · Writers0.09
  88. 88Alexander Sergeyevich MenshikovAlexander Sergeyevich Menshikov1787–1869 · 19th century · Politicians0.09
  89. 89Mikhail of TverMikhail of Tver1271–1318 · 14th century · Politicians0.08
  90. 90Peter Ivanovich ShuvalovPeter Ivanovich Shuvalov1711–1762 · 18th century · Politicians0.08
  91. 91Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.08
  92. 92Vladimir OdoevskyVladimir Odoevsky1803–1869 · 19th century · Writers0.08
  93. 93Oleg I of ChernigovOleg I of Chernigov1052–1115 · 11th century · Historical Figures0.08
  94. 94Mikhail VorontsovMikhail Vorontsov1782–1856 · 19th century · Politicians0.08
  95. 95Faddey BulgarinFaddey Bulgarin1789–1859 · 19th century · Writers0.08
  96. 96Tikhon of ZadonskTikhon of Zadonsk1724–1783 · 18th century · Religious Figures0.08
  97. 97Konstantin of RostovKonstantin of Rostov1185–1218 · 13th century · Politicians0.08
  98. 98Peter II of RussiaPeter II of Russia1715–1730 · 18th century · Politicians0.08
  99. 99Kirill II of KyivKirill II of Kyiv1250–1280 · 13th century0.08
  100. 100Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.08

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 19th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria1863–1914 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  2. 2Maximilian I of MexicoMaximilian I of Mexico1832–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians19 decades
  3. 3Ferdinand I of AustriaFerdinand I of Austria1793–1875 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  4. 4Rudolf, Crown Prince of AustriaRudolf, Crown Prince of Austria1858–1889 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  5. 5Archduke Karl Ludwig of AustriaArchduke Karl Ludwig of Austria1833–1896 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians16 decades
  6. 6Karl LuegerKarl Lueger1844–1910 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians13 decades
  7. 7Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians17 decades
  8. 8Eduard von Böhm-ErmolliEduard von Böhm-Ermolli1856–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  9. 9Oskar PotiorekOskar Potiorek1853–1933 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  10. 10Georg Ritter von SchönererGeorg Ritter von Schönerer1842–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians9 decades
  11. 11Archduke Eugen of AustriaArchduke Eugen of Austria1863–1954 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  12. 12Prince August, 3rd Prince of KoháryPrince August, 3rd Prince of Koháry1818–1881 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians7 decades
  13. 13Leopold BerchtoldLeopold Berchtold1863–1942 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians4 decades
  14. 14Michael HainischMichael Hainisch1858–1940 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians11 decades
  15. 15Archduke Leopold Salvator of AustriaArchduke Leopold Salvator of Austria1863–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  16. 16Viktor Dankl von KrasnikViktor Dankl von Krasnik1854–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  17. 17Stjepan SarkotićStjepan Sarkotić1858–1939 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  18. 18Ernest von KoerberErnest von Koerber1850–1919 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  19. 19Friedrich von Beck-RzikowskyFriedrich von Beck-Rzikowsky1830–1920 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  20. 20Rudolf Stöger-Steiner von SteinstättenRudolf Stöger-Steiner von Steinstätten1861–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  21. 21Prince Alfred, 3rd Prince of Windisch-GrätzPrince Alfred, 3rd Prince of Windisch-Grätz1851–1927 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  22. 22Heinrich Clam-MartinicHeinrich Clam-Martinic1863–1932 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  23. 23Prince Konrad of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-SchillingsfürstPrince Konrad of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst1863–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  24. 24Alfred, 2nd Prince of MontenuovoAlfred, 2nd Prince of Montenuovo1854–1927 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  25. 25Alfred KraussAlfred Krauss1862–1938 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  26. 26Ernst Seidler von FeuchteneggErnst Seidler von Feuchtenegg1862–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  27. 27Galeas von Thun und HohensteinGaleas von Thun und Hohenstein1850–1931 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  28. 28Prince Aloys Franz de Paula MariaPrince Aloys Franz de Paula Maria1846–1920 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  29. 29Jodok FinkJodok Fink1853–1929 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  30. 30Hermann von SpaunHermann von Spaun1833–1919 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  31. 31Maximilian Egon II, Prince of FürstenbergMaximilian Egon II, Prince of Fürstenberg1863–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  32. 32Baron Max Wladimir von BeckBaron Max Wladimir von Beck1854–1943 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  33. 33Alois, Prince of Schönburg-HartensteinAlois, Prince of Schönburg-Hartenstein1858–1944 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  34. 34Count Manfred von Clary-AldringenCount Manfred von Clary-Aldringen1852–1928 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  35. 35Joseph Samuel BlochJoseph Samuel Bloch1850–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  36. 36Count Erich KielmanseggCount Erich Kielmansegg1847–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  37. 37Baron Wladimir Giesl von GieslingenBaron Wladimir Giesl von Gieslingen1860–1936 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  38. 38Jakob ReumannJakob Reumann1853–1925 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  39. 39Adam Müller-GuttenbrunnAdam Müller-Guttenbrunn1852–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  40. 40Therese Schlesinger-EcksteinTherese Schlesinger-Eckstein1863–1940 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  41. 41Heinrich Ritter von WittekHeinrich Ritter von Wittek1844–1930 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  42. 42Karl Hermann WolfKarl Hermann Wolf1862–1941 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  43. 43Friedrich von GeorgiFriedrich von Georgi1852–1926 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  44. 44Benno StraucherBenno Straucher1854–1940 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  45. 45Gustav GroßGustav Groß1856–1935 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  46. 46Franz MoroderFranz Moroder1847–1920 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  47. 47Franz KleinFranz Klein1854–1926 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  48. 48Wilhelm EllenbogenWilhelm Ellenbogen1863–1951 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  49. 49Prince Karl, 9th Prince of AuerspergPrince Karl, 9th Prince of Auersperg1859–1927 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  50. 50Melanie Metternich-ZichyMelanie Metternich-Zichy1832–1919 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  51. 51Richard WeiskirchnerRichard Weiskirchner1861–1926 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  52. 52Viktor TietzViktor Tietz1859–1937 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  53. 53Zeno Graf Welser von WelsersheimbZeno Graf Welser von Welsersheimb1835–1921 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured
  54. 54Anton PaceAnton Pace1851–1923 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot 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.