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. 1Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  2. 2Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  3. 3James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield1831–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  4. 4William McKinleyWilliam McKinley1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  6. 6Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant1822–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  7. 7James BuchananJames Buchanan1791–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  8. 8Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland1837–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  9. 9Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  10. 10Joseph SmithJoseph Smith1805–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  11. 11Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur1829–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  12. 12John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams1767–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  13. 13P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum1810–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  14. 14Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  15. 15William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft1857–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  16. 16Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren1782–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  17. 17William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison1773–1841 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  18. 18Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce1804–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  19. 19Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  20. 20James K. PolkJames K. Polk1795–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  21. 21Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor1784–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  22. 22John TylerJohn Tyler1790–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  23. 23Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  24. 24Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison1833–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  25. 25Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore1800–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  26. 26Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer1847–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  27. 27Crazy HorseCrazy Horse1849–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  28. 28Davy CrockettDavy Crockett1786–1836 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  29. 29William Randolph HearstWilliam Randolph Hearst1863–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  30. 30Wyatt EarpWyatt Earp1848–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  31. 31Sam HoustonSam Houston1793–1863 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  32. 32John C. CalhounJohn C. Calhoun1782–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  33. 33Victoria WoodhullVictoria Woodhull1838–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  34. 34Philip SheridanPhilip Sheridan1831–1888 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians13 decades
  35. 35George Brinton McClellanGeorge Brinton McClellan1826–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  36. 36William H. SewardWilliam H. Seward1801–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  37. 37William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan1860–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians13 decades
  38. 38Lew WallaceLew Wallace1827–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  39. 39Eugene V. DebsEugene V. Debs1855–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians13 decades
  40. 40Thomas R. MarshallThomas R. Marshall1854–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  41. 41Leland StanfordLeland Stanford1824–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  42. 42Garret HobartGarret Hobart1844–1899 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  43. 43Charles CurtisCharles Curtis1860–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  44. 44Horace MannHorace Mann1796–1859 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  45. 45Stephen A. DouglasStephen A. Douglas1813–1861 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  46. 46Elihu RootElihu Root1845–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  47. 47Horace GreeleyHorace Greeley1811–1872 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  48. 48Charles W. FairbanksCharles W. Fairbanks1852–1918 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6 decades
  49. 49John C. BreckinridgeJohn C. Breckinridge1821–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  50. 50Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  51. 51Levi P. MortonLevi P. Morton1824–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  52. 52James LongstreetJames Longstreet1821–1904 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  53. 53Richard Mentor JohnsonRichard Mentor Johnson1780–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  54. 54Red CloudRed Cloud1822–1909 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  55. 55Robert Todd LincolnRobert Todd Lincoln1843–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  56. 56James G. BlaineJames G. Blaine1830–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  57. 57Henry WilsonHenry Wilson1812–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  58. 58Julia GrantJulia Grant1826–1902 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  59. 59Winfield ScottWinfield Scott1786–1866 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  60. 60Edith RooseveltEdith Roosevelt1861–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  61. 61Joseph E. JohnstonJoseph E. Johnston1807–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  62. 62George M. DallasGeorge M. Dallas1792–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  63. 63David FarragutDavid Farragut1801–1870 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  64. 64Clarence DarrowClarence Darrow1857–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  65. 65J. E. B. StuartJ. E. B. Stuart1833–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  66. 66Thomas A. HendricksThomas A. Hendricks1819–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians13 decades
  67. 67Rachel JacksonRachel Jackson1767–1828 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  68. 68James S. ShermanJames S. Sherman1855–1912 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  69. 69Alexander H. StephensAlexander H. Stephens1812–1883 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  70. 70Daniel D. TompkinsDaniel D. Tompkins1774–1825 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  71. 71John C. FrémontJohn C. Frémont1813–1890 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  72. 72Ambrose BurnsideAmbrose Burnside1824–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3 decades
  73. 73Salmon P. ChaseSalmon P. Chase1808–1873 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  74. 74Andrew W. MellonAndrew W. Mellon1855–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  75. 75Henry Ward BeecherHenry Ward Beecher1813–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  76. 76Hannibal HamlinHannibal Hamlin1809–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  77. 77John ShermanJohn Sherman1823–1900 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  78. 78Edwin StantonEdwin Stanton1814–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  79. 79Ellen Axson WilsonEllen Axson Wilson1860–1914 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  80. 80Charles Evans HughesCharles Evans Hughes1862–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  81. 81John HayJohn Hay1838–1905 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  82. 82Jane PierceJane Pierce1806–1863 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  83. 83Roger B. TaneyRoger B. Taney1777–1864 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  84. 84Schuyler ColfaxSchuyler Colfax1823–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  85. 85Edward EverettEdward Everett1794–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  86. 86Helen Herron TaftHelen Herron Taft1861–1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  87. 87Robert M. La FolletteRobert M. La Follette1855–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  88. 88Ida Saxton McKinleyIda Saxton McKinley1847–1907 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  89. 89Martha Jefferson RandolphMartha Jefferson Randolph1772–1836 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1 decades
  90. 90Carl SchurzCarl Schurz1829–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  91. 91Charles SumnerCharles Sumner1811–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  92. 92William A. WheelerWilliam A. Wheeler1819–1887 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  93. 93Thaddeus StevensThaddeus Stevens1792–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  94. 94Judah P. BenjaminJudah P. Benjamin1811–1884 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  95. 95Florence HardingFlorence Harding1860–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  96. 96Sarah Childress PolkSarah Childress Polk1803–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  97. 97Winfield Scott HancockWinfield Scott Hancock1824–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  98. 98Rebecca Latimer FeltonRebecca Latimer Felton1835–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0 decades
  99. 99Sanford B. DoleSanford B. Dole1844–1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians5 decades
  100. 100Julia Gardiner TylerJulia Gardiner Tyler1820–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1 decades

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.