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. 1George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer1839–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures7 decades
  2. 2LiliʻuokalaniLiliʻuokalani1838–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  3. 3Robert PearyRobert Peary1856–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures3 decades
  4. 4SacagaweaSacagawea1788–1812 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures9 decades
  5. 5Kamehameha IKamehameha I1800–1819 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures13 decades
  6. 6Meriwether LewisMeriwether Lewis1774–1809 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures19 decades
  7. 7Kit CarsonKit Carson1809–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures18 decades
  8. 8William ClarkWilliam Clark1770–1838 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures22 decades
  9. 9KalākauaKalākaua1836–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures1 decades
  10. 10Hugh GlassHugh Glass1783–1833 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures5 decades
  11. 11John SutterJohn Sutter1803–1880 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures9 decades
  12. 12Zebulon PikeZebulon Pike1779–1813 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures12 decades
  13. 13Jedediah SmithJedediah Smith1799–1831 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  14. 14Jim BridgerJim Bridger1804–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  15. 15Thomas MoranThomas Moran1837–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures15 decades
  16. 16John ColterJohn Colter1774–1812 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  17. 17George W. De LongGeorge W. De Long1844–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures1 decades
  18. 18John Lloyd StephensJohn Lloyd Stephens1805–1852 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  19. 19James BeckwourthJames Beckwourth1798–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  20. 20James W. MarshallJames W. Marshall1810–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  21. 21Adolphus GreelyAdolphus Greely1844–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  22. 22Liver-Eating JohnsonLiver-Eating Johnson1824–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  23. 23Ezra MeekerEzra Meeker1830–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  24. 24Nathaniel PalmerNathaniel Palmer1799–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures2 decades
  25. 25George KennanGeorge Kennan1845–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  26. 26Josephine Diebitsch PearyJosephine Diebitsch Peary1863–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  27. 27Benjamin BonnevilleBenjamin Bonneville1797–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  28. 28Olive OatmanOlive Oatman1837–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  29. 29William Healey DallWilliam Healey Dall1845–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  30. 30Isaac Israel HayesIsaac Israel Hayes1832–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  31. 31Stephen Harriman LongStephen Harriman Long1784–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  32. 32Elisha Kent KaneElisha Kent Kane1820–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  33. 33Benjamin MorrellBenjamin Morrell1795–1839 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures1 decades
  34. 34Titian PealeTitian Peale1799–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  35. 35William Temple HornadayWilliam Temple Hornaday1854–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  36. 36Edward Herbert ThompsonEdward Herbert Thompson1857–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  37. 37James "Grizzly" AdamsJames "Grizzly" Adams1812–1860 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  38. 38Manuel LisaManuel Lisa1772–1820 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  39. 39AHAndrew Henry1775–1832 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  40. 40Ranald MacDonaldRanald MacDonald1824–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  41. 41Jean Baptiste CharbonneauJean Baptiste Charbonneau1805–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  42. 42Consuelo Yznaga, Duchess of ManchesterConsuelo Yznaga, Duchess of Manchester1853–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  43. 43Jay CookeJay Cooke1821–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  44. 44Walter WellmanWalter Wellman1858–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  45. 45May French SheldonMay French Sheldon1847–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  46. 46George CarmackGeorge Carmack1860–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  47. 47John Augustine ZahmJohn Augustine Zahm1851–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  48. 48Thomas FitzpatrickThomas Fitzpatrick1799–1854 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  49. 49William Woodville RockhillWilliam Woodville Rockhill1854–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  50. 50John Lawson StoddardJohn Lawson Stoddard1850–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  51. 51Mercator CooperMercator Cooper1803–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  52. 52John BozemanJohn Bozeman1835–1867 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  53. 53John Russell BartlettJohn Russell Bartlett1805–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  54. 54John Williams GunnisonJohn Williams Gunnison1812–1853 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  55. 55John W. MackayJohn W. Mackay1831–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  56. 56William SubletteWilliam Sublette1799–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  57. 57Matilda Coxe StevensonMatilda Coxe Stevenson1849–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  58. 58Seth KinmanSeth Kinman1815–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  59. 59William Leonard HuntWilliam Leonard Hunt1838–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  60. 60Wilson Price HuntWilson Price Hunt1783–1842 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  61. 61Charles Chaillé-LongCharles Chaillé-Long1842–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  62. 62JNJeremiah N. Reynolds1799–1858 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  63. 63William Louis AbbottWilliam Louis Abbott1860–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  64. 64Henry Tureman AllenHenry Tureman Allen1859–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  65. 65William Austin BurtWilliam Austin Burt1792–1858 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  66. 66Henry GrinnellHenry Grinnell1799–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  67. 67William F. RaynoldsWilliam F. Raynolds1820–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  68. 68David L. BrainardDavid L. Brainard1856–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  69. 69Edward Fitzgerald BealeEdward Fitzgerald Beale1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  70. 70Lafayette BunnellLafayette Bunnell1824–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  71. 71George DrouillardGeorge Drouillard1775–1810 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  72. 72Joseph R. WalkerJoseph R. Walker1798–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  73. 73Frank G. CarpenterFrank G. Carpenter1855–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  74. 74Uriel SebreeUriel Sebree1848–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  75. 75Harry YountHarry Yount1839–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  76. 76Henry Wetherbee HenshawHenry Wetherbee Henshaw1850–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  77. 77Nathaniel P. LangfordNathaniel P. Langford1832–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  78. 78James B. LockwoodJames B. Lockwood1852–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  79. 79Richard MohunRichard Mohun1864–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  80. 80Alfred Thomas AgateAlfred Thomas Agate1812–1846 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  81. 81Charlie UtterCharlie Utter1838–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  82. 82Lansford HastingsLansford Hastings1819–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  83. 83Ed SchieffelinEd Schieffelin1847–1897 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  84. 84William S. WilliamsWilliam S. Williams1787–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  85. 85Thomas S. HindeThomas S. Hinde1785–1846 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  86. 86EDEdwin De Haven1816–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  87. 87John W. BarlowJohn W. Barlow1838–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  88. 88William LudlowWilliam Ludlow1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  89. 89Evelyn Briggs BaldwinEvelyn Briggs Baldwin1862–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  90. 90Joseph LadueJoseph Ladue1855–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  91. 91Caspar WhitneyCaspar Whitney1864–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  92. 92Robert Stockton WilliamsonRobert Stockton Williamson1825–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  93. 93AFAlexander Forbes1778–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  94. 94Albert S. EvansAlbert S. Evans1831–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot 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.