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. 61Nikolay Alexandrovich LvovNikolay Alexandrovich Lvov1753–1803 · 18th century · Academics0.18
  62. 62Alexey VenetsianovAlexey Venetsianov1780–1847 · 19th century · Artists0.18
  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. 70Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.14
  71. 71Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.14
  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. 1Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  2. 2John D. RockefellerJohn D. Rockefeller1839–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders14 decades
  3. 3J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders16 decades
  4. 4John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders22 decades
  5. 5Levi StraussLevi Strauss1829–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders11 decades
  6. 6Cornelius VanderbiltCornelius Vanderbilt1794–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders18 decades
  7. 7King C. GilletteKing C. Gillette1855–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  8. 8Elisha OtisElisha Otis1811–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  9. 9James Buchanan DukeJames Buchanan Duke1856–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  10. 10Henry J. HeinzHenry J. Heinz1844–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  11. 11Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders21 decades
  12. 12Jay GouldJay Gould1836–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders17 decades
  13. 13Jean LafitteJean Lafitte1776–1826 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders12 decades
  14. 14William Crapo DurantWilliam Crapo Durant1861–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  15. 15Solomon R. GuggenheimSolomon R. Guggenheim1861–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders8 decades
  16. 16Milton S. HersheyMilton S. Hershey1857–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders6 decades
  17. 17Will Keith KelloggWill Keith Kellogg1860–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  18. 18George PeabodyGeorge Peabody1795–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders19 decades
  19. 19Ransom E. OldsRansom E. Olds1864–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  20. 20Henry Clay FrickHenry Clay Frick1849–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  21. 21Marcus GoldmanMarcus Goldman1821–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  22. 22William Henry VanderbiltWilliam Henry Vanderbilt1821–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  23. 23Harry Gordon SelfridgeHarry Gordon Selfridge1858–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  24. 24Peter CooperPeter Cooper1791–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders20 decades
  25. 25Charles YerkesCharles Yerkes1837–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  26. 26Samuel P. BushSamuel P. Bush1863–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  27. 27Cyrus West FieldCyrus West Field1819–1892 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  28. 28John Francis DodgeJohn Francis Dodge1864–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  29. 29William WrigleyWilliam Wrigley1861–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  30. 30Julius RosenwaldJulius Rosenwald1862–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  31. 31Charles Lewis TiffanyCharles Lewis Tiffany1812–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  32. 32Eliphalet RemingtonEliphalet Remington1793–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  33. 33William ColgateWilliam Colgate1783–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  34. 34Charles Francis BrushCharles Francis Brush1849–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  35. 35William FargoWilliam Fargo1818–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  36. 36Samuel SlaterSamuel Slater1768–1835 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  37. 37Mary Ellen PleasantMary Ellen Pleasant1814–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  38. 38James J. HillJames J. Hill1838–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  39. 39Leonard JeromeLeonard Jerome1817–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  40. 40Edward Henry HarrimanEdward Henry Harriman1848–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  41. 41James GambleJames Gamble1803–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  42. 42Theodore Roosevelt Sr.Theodore Roosevelt Sr.1831–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  43. 43Henry WellsHenry Wells1805–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  44. 44Daniel GuggenheimDaniel Guggenheim1856–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  45. 45George Dunton WidenerGeorge Dunton Widener1861–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  46. 46Marshall FieldMarshall Field1834–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  47. 47John Munro LongyearJohn Munro Longyear1850–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  48. 48Bertha PalmerBertha Palmer1849–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  49. 49Richard Warren SearsRichard Warren Sears1863–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  50. 50Joseph SeligmanJoseph Seligman1819–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  51. 51Frederic TudorFrederic Tudor1783–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  52. 52Cornelius Vanderbilt IICornelius Vanderbilt II1843–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  53. 53William D. BoyceWilliam D. Boyce1858–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  54. 54Henry E. HuntingtonHenry E. Huntington1850–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  55. 55Henry Huttleston RogersHenry Huttleston Rogers1840–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  56. 56William ProcterWilliam Procter1801–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  57. 57Philip Danforth ArmourPhilip Danforth Armour1832–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  58. 58Samuel Henry KressSamuel Henry Kress1863–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  59. 59William B. FranklinWilliam B. Franklin1823–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  60. 60William Rockefeller Sr.William Rockefeller Sr.1810–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  61. 61Gustavus Franklin SwiftGustavus Franklin Swift1839–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  62. 62Elwood HaynesElwood Haynes1857–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  63. 63Samuel SachsSamuel Sachs1851–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  64. 64William Cornelius Van HorneWilliam Cornelius Van Horne1843–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  65. 65Collis Potter HuntingtonCollis Potter Huntington1821–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  66. 66Matthias W. BaldwinMatthias W. Baldwin1795–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  67. 67Martha Matilda HarperMartha Matilda Harper1857–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  68. 68Charles Ranlett FlintCharles Ranlett Flint1850–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  69. 69James Ward PackardJames Ward Packard1863–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  70. 70Fredericka MandelbaumFredericka Mandelbaum1825–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  71. 71Adolphus Busch IAdolphus Busch I1839–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  72. 72Benjamin AltmanBenjamin Altman1840–1913 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  73. 73R. J. ReynoldsR. J. Reynolds1850–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  74. 74Charles CrockerCharles Crocker1822–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  75. 75Frederick Stark PearsonFrederick Stark Pearson1861–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  76. 76John Murray ForbesJohn Murray Forbes1813–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  77. 77George Safford ParkerGeorge Safford Parker1863–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  78. 78Charles Williams NashCharles Williams Nash1864–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  79. 79William Backhouse Astor, Sr.William Backhouse Astor, Sr.1792–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  80. 80Robert S. BrookingsRobert S. Brookings1850–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  81. 81William Wirt WinchesterWilliam Wirt Winchester1837–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  82. 82Walter Donald DouglasWalter Donald Douglas1861–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  83. 83James FortenJames Forten1766–1842 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  84. 84Minor Cooper KeithMinor Cooper Keith1848–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  85. 85Claus SpreckelsClaus Spreckels1828–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  86. 86Edward C. ClarkEdward C. Clark1811–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  87. 87Godfrey Lowell CabotGodfrey Lowell Cabot1861–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  88. 88Charles DeeringCharles Deering1852–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  89. 89Henry Osborne HavemeyerHenry Osborne Havemeyer1847–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  90. 90William Phelps EnoWilliam Phelps Eno1858–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  91. 91Louis BambergerLouis Bamberger1855–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  92. 92Charles T. HindeCharles T. Hinde1832–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  93. 93Rowland Hussey MacyRowland Hussey Macy1822–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  94. 94Bernard KrogerBernard Kroger1860–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  95. 95Alvah Curtis RoebuckAlvah Curtis Roebuck1864–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  96. 96Frederick MillerFrederick Miller1824–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  97. 97Peter DemensPeter Demens1849–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  98. 98George DaytonGeorge Dayton1857–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  99. 99Henry Varnum PoorHenry Varnum Poor1812–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot measured—
  100. 100Benjamin Newton DukeBenjamin Newton Duke1855–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Foundersnot 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.