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

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

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇦🇹 Austria🇹🇷 Turkey🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllPoliticiansWritersHistorical FiguresScientistsAcademicsArtistsMusiciansDoctorsFoundersJournalists
  1. 1Frédéric ChopinFrédéric Chopin1810–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  2. 2Claude DebussyClaude Debussy1862–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  3. 3Hector BerliozHector Berlioz1803–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians19 decades
  4. 4Georges BizetGeorges Bizet1838–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  5. 5Jacques OffenbachJacques Offenbach1819–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  6. 6Camille Saint-SaënsCamille Saint-Saëns1835–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  7. 7Charles GounodCharles Gounod1818–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians17 decades
  8. 8Gabriel FauréGabriel Fauré1845–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  9. 9Jules MassenetJules Massenet1842–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  10. 10Léo DelibesLéo Delibes1836–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  11. 11Hortense de BeauharnaisHortense de Beauharnais1783–1837 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians20 decades
  12. 12Charles-Valentin AlkanCharles-Valentin Alkan1813–1888 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  13. 13Adolphe AdamAdolphe Adam1803–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians19 decades
  14. 14Pauline ViardotPauline Viardot1821–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians18 decades
  15. 15Charles-Marie WidorCharles-Marie Widor1844–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  16. 16Ernest ChaussonErnest Chausson1855–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  17. 17Édouard LaloÉdouard Lalo1823–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians1 decades
  18. 18Cécile ChaminadeCécile Chaminade1857–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians1 decades
  19. 19Emmanuel ChabrierEmmanuel Chabrier1841–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  20. 20Vincent d'IndyVincent d'Indy1851–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  21. 21Daniel AuberDaniel Auber1782–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  22. 22Maria MalibranMaria Malibran1808–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  23. 23Mélanie BonisMélanie Bonis1858–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians1 decades
  24. 24Anton ReichaAnton Reicha1770–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  25. 25Aristide BruantAristide Bruant1851–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  26. 26Émile WaldteufelÉmile Waldteufel1837–1915 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  27. 27Fromental HalévyFromental Halévy1799–1862 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  28. 28Ambroise ThomasAmbroise Thomas1811–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians19 decades
  29. 29Gaspare SpontiniGaspare Spontini1774–1851 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians16 decades
  30. 30Louise FarrencLouise Farrenc1804–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  31. 31Friedrich BurgmüllerFriedrich Burgmüller1806–1874 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  32. 32François Adrien BoieldieuFrançois Adrien Boieldieu1775–1834 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  33. 33Rodolphe KreutzerRodolphe Kreutzer1766–1831 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians9 decades
  34. 34Augusta HolmèsAugusta Holmès1847–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  35. 35Henri DuparcHenri Duparc1848–1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  36. 36Gabriel PiernéGabriel Pierné1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  37. 37André MessagerAndré Messager1853–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians14 decades
  38. 38Théodore DuboisThéodore Dubois1837–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians15 decades
  39. 39Alexandre GuilmantAlexandre Guilmant1837–1911 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  40. 40Gustave CharpentierGustave Charpentier1860–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  41. 41Emma CalvéEmma Calvé1858–1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  42. 42Léon BoëllmannLéon Boëllmann1862–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  43. 43François SudreFrançois Sudre1787–1862 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Benjamin GodardBenjamin Godard1849–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  45. 45George OnslowGeorge Onslow1784–1853 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  46. 46Jules PerrotJules Perrot1810–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians2 decades
  47. 47Suzanne ManetSuzanne Manet1829–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Ferdinand HéroldFerdinand Hérold1791–1833 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  49. 49Célestine Galli-MariéCélestine Galli-Marié1837–1905 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Ernest GuiraudErnest Guiraud1837–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  51. 51Henri HerzHenri Herz1802–1888 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  52. 52François DelsarteFrançois Delsarte1811–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Charles LecocqCharles Lecocq1832–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  54. 54Guy RopartzGuy Ropartz1864–1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Charles-Louis HanonCharles-Louis Hanon1819–1900 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  56. 56Marie JaëllMarie Jaëll1846–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  57. 57Pierre RodePierre Rode1774–1830 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Henry LitolffHenry Litolff1818–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Antoine-François MarmontelAntoine-François Marmontel1816–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  60. 60Alfred Lefébure-WélyAlfred Lefébure-Wély1817–1869 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  61. 61Eugène GigoutEugène Gigout1844–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  62. 62Philipp von FerraryPhilipp von Ferrary1850–1917 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  63. 63Maurice EmmanuelMaurice Emmanuel1862–1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Juliette Colbert de BaroloJuliette Colbert de Barolo1785–1864 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Marie PleyelMarie Pleyel1811–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Charles DanclaCharles Dancla1817–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  67. 67Arthur Saint-LéonArthur Saint-Léon1821–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Auguste FranchommeAuguste Franchomme1808–1884 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  69. 69Louis Théodore GouvyLouis Théodore Gouvy1819–1898 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  70. 70Nicolas-Charles BochsaNicolas-Charles Bochsa1789–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Paul TaffanelPaul Taffanel1844–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  72. 72Jean-Baptiste ArbanJean-Baptiste Arban1825–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Napoléon CosteNapoléon Coste1805–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  74. 74HervéHervé1825–1892 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Clémence de GrandvalClémence de Grandval1828–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  76. 76Arnold DolmetschArnold Dolmetsch1858–1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Robert PlanquetteRobert Planquette1848–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians3 decades
  78. 78Adolphe NourritAdolphe Nourrit1802–1839 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Félicien-César DavidFélicien-César David1810–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  80. 80Pierre BaillotPierre Baillot1771–1842 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  81. 81André GedalgeAndré Gedalge1856–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Louis DiémerLouis Diémer1843–1919 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  83. 83Gilbert DuprezGilbert Duprez1806–1896 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Jean-Baptiste FaureJean-Baptiste Faure1830–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  85. 85Victor MasséVictor Massé1822–1884 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  86. 86Paul VidalPaul Vidal1863–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  87. 87Camille PleyelCamille Pleyel1788–1855 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  88. 88Cornélie FalconCornélie Falcon1814–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Jean-Delphin AlardJean-Delphin Alard1815–1888 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Ernest ReyerErnest Reyer1823–1909 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Victor MaurelVictor Maurel1848–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Alfred BruneauAlfred Bruneau1857–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Marie BigotMarie Bigot1786–1820 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Raoul PugnoRaoul Pugno1852–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Jacques Féréol MazasJacques Féréol Mazas1782–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  96. 96Ernest GoüinErnest Goüin1815–1885 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  97. 97Isidor PhilippIsidor Philipp1863–1958 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  98. 98François HabeneckFrançois Habeneck1781–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  99. 99Nicolas IsouardNicolas Isouard1775–1818 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  100. 100Albert LavignacAlbert Lavignac1846–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot 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.