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. 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.

  1. 1Nellie BlyNellie Bly1864–1922 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  2. 2Ambrose BierceAmbrose Bierce1842–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists13 decades
  3. 3Ida B. WellsIda B. Wells1862–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists6 decades
  4. 4Henry AdamsHenry Adams1838–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists19 decades
  5. 5William Lloyd GarrisonWilliam Lloyd Garrison1805–1879 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists19 decades
  6. 6Carrie Chapman CattCarrie Chapman Catt1859–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists12 decades
  7. 7Frederick Law OlmstedFrederick Law Olmsted1822–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists16 decades
  8. 8Soh JaipilSoh Jaipil1864–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  9. 9Melvil DeweyMelvil Dewey1851–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists15 decades
  10. 10Ida TarbellIda Tarbell1857–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists12 decades
  11. 11Lucy StoneLucy Stone1818–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists17 decades
  12. 12Charles DowCharles Dow1851–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists0 decades
  13. 13Lucy ParsonsLucy Parsons1851–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists2 decades
  14. 14Benjamin TuckerBenjamin Tucker1854–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists3 decades
  15. 15Matilda Joslyn GageMatilda Joslyn Gage1826–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists5 decades
  16. 16Amelia BloomerAmelia Bloomer1818–1894 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists6 decades
  17. 17Joel Chandler HarrisJoel Chandler Harris1848–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists14 decades
  18. 18Simon Bolivar BucknerSimon Bolivar Buckner1823–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists1 decades
  19. 19Daniel De LeonDaniel De Leon1852–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists8 decades
  20. 20August Vincent Theodore SpiesAugust Vincent Theodore Spies1855–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  21. 21Rufus Wilmot GriswoldRufus Wilmot Griswold1815–1857 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists0 decades
  22. 22Helen Churchill CandeeHelen Churchill Candee1858–1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  23. 23Gideon WellesGideon Welles1802–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  24. 24Albert ParsonsAlbert Parsons1848–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  25. 25Helen Hunt JacksonHelen Hunt Jackson1830–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists14 decades
  26. 26Henry Jarvis RaymondHenry Jarvis Raymond1820–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  27. 27Adolph OchsAdolph Ochs1858–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  28. 28Bat MastersonBat Masterson1853–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  29. 29Lysander SpoonerLysander Spooner1808–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists2 decades
  30. 30James Gordon Bennett Jr.James Gordon Bennett Jr.1841–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  31. 31Frances Benjamin JohnstonFrances Benjamin Johnston1864–1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  32. 32Nathaniel Parker WillisNathaniel Parker Willis1806–1867 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  33. 33Mary Ann ShaddMary Ann Shadd1823–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  34. 34Charles Godfrey LelandCharles Godfrey Leland1824–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  35. 35Francis Preston BlairFrancis Preston Blair1791–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  36. 36Richard Harding DavisRichard Harding Davis1864–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  37. 37Andrew Jackson DowningAndrew Jackson Downing1815–1852 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  38. 38Elijah Parish LovejoyElijah Parish Lovejoy1802–1837 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  39. 39James Gordon Bennett Sr.James Gordon Bennett Sr.1795–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  40. 40John L. O'SullivanJohn L. O'Sullivan1813–1895 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  41. 41Alice Stone BlackwellAlice Stone Blackwell1857–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists7 decades
  42. 42Joseph WeydemeyerJoseph Weydemeyer1818–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  43. 43Gustav StruveGustav Struve1805–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  44. 44Mary LivermoreMary Livermore1820–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  45. 45Lorrin A. ThurstonLorrin A. Thurston1858–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  46. 46Charles SealsfieldCharles Sealsfield1793–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  47. 47Ellen Browning ScrippsEllen Browning Scripps1836–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  48. 48Mordecai Manuel NoahMordecai Manuel Noah1785–1851 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  49. 49Josephine St. Pierre RuffinJosephine St. Pierre Ruffin1842–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  50. 50Edward BokEdward Bok1863–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  51. 51Charles Warren StoddardCharles Warren Stoddard1843–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  52. 52Rebecca Harding DavisRebecca Harding Davis1831–1910 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  53. 53Patrick Edward ConnorPatrick Edward Connor1820–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  54. 54Julian HawthorneJulian Hawthorne1846–1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  55. 55Elizabeth Bacon CusterElizabeth Bacon Custer1842–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  56. 56Ainsworth Rand SpoffordAinsworth Rand Spofford1825–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  57. 57Fanny FernFanny Fern1811–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  58. 58Dorothy DixDorothy Dix1861–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  59. 59James Gibbons HunekerJames Gibbons Huneker1857–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  60. 60Elliott Fitch ShepardElliott Fitch Shepard1833–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  61. 61Mathilde Franziska AnnekeMathilde Franziska Anneke1817–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  62. 62Arthur BrisbaneArthur Brisbane1864–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  63. 63Thurlow WeedThurlow Weed1797–1882 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  64. 64Oscar DunnOscar Dunn1820–1871 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  65. 65Januarius MacGahanJanuarius MacGahan1844–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  66. 66Oscar NeebeOscar Neebe1850–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  67. 67Francis Pharcellus ChurchFrancis Pharcellus Church1839–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  68. 68Pauline HopkinsPauline Hopkins1859–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  69. 69Robert Underwood JohnsonRobert Underwood Johnson1853–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  70. 70George Henry MackenzieGeorge Henry Mackenzie1837–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  71. 71James Thomas FieldsJames Thomas Fields1817–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  72. 72Mary Louise BoothMary Louise Booth1831–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  73. 73Ida Husted HarperIda Husted Harper1851–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  74. 74FAFrederick Aiken1832–1878 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  75. 75Edgar Wilson NyeEdgar Wilson Nye1850–1896 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  76. 76Robert Sterling YardRobert Sterling Yard1861–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  77. 77George LippardGeorge Lippard1822–1854 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  78. 78James Ryder RandallJames Ryder Randall1839–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  79. 79Charles Johnson MaynardCharles Johnson Maynard1845–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  80. 80John Russell YoungJohn Russell Young1840–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  81. 81Jane Cunningham CrolyJane Cunningham Croly1829–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  82. 82Mark KelloggMark Kellogg1831–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  83. 83Richard HildrethRichard Hildreth1807–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  84. 84Kate AustinKate Austin1864–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  85. 85Helen Pitts DouglassHelen Pitts Douglass1838–1903 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  86. 86George William FooteGeorge William Foote1850–1915 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  87. 87William S. FultonWilliam S. Fulton1795–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  88. 88Harold FredericHarold Frederic1856–1898 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  89. 89Clara Bewick ColbyClara Bewick Colby1846–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  90. 90Ban JohnsonBan Johnson1863–1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  91. 91Irving BachellerIrving Bacheller1859–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  92. 92Samuel CornishSamuel Cornish1795–1858 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  93. 93Augustus Baldwin LongstreetAugustus Baldwin Longstreet1790–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  94. 94Marian de ForestMarian de Forest1864–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  95. 95Frank Arthur VanderlipFrank Arthur Vanderlip1864–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  96. 96George Pope MorrisGeorge Pope Morris1802–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  97. 97Franklin Benjamin SanbornFranklin Benjamin Sanborn1831–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  98. 98Stilson HutchinsStilson Hutchins1838–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  99. 99Willard RichardsWillard Richards1804–1854 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot measured
  100. 100Poultney BigelowPoultney Bigelow1855–1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalistsnot 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.