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. 2Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians21 decades
  3. 3Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck1815–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  4. 4Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  6. 6James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield1831–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  7. 7Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  8. 8Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg1847–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  9. 9William McKinleyWilliam McKinley1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  10. 10Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  11. 11Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria1863–1914 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured—
  12. 12Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain1856–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  13. 13Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant1822–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  14. 14James BuchananJames Buchanan1791–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  15. 15José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians21 decades
  16. 16Georges ClemenceauGeorges Clemenceau1841–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  17. 17Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  18. 18Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland1837–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  19. 19Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  20. 20Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  21. 21Joseph SmithJoseph Smith1805–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  22. 22Clara ZetkinClara Zetkin1857–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  23. 23Camillo Benso, Count of CavourCamillo Benso, Count of Cavour1810–1861 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians10 decades
  24. 24Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  25. 25Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur1829–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  26. 26Klemens von MetternichKlemens von Metternich1773–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  27. 27Adolphe ThiersAdolphe Thiers1797–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  28. 28Pierre-Joseph ProudhonPierre-Joseph Proudhon1809–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  29. 29Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians19 decades
  30. 30John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams1767–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  31. 31P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum1810–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  32. 32Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  33. 33Pyotr StolypinPyotr Stolypin1862–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  34. 34Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of WellingtonArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington1769–1852 · Politiciansnot measured—
  35. 35Joachim MuratJoachim Murat1767–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  36. 36Maximilian I of MexicoMaximilian I of Mexico1832–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians19 decades
  37. 37William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft1857–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  38. 38Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren1782–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  39. 39William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison1773–1841 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  40. 40Fridtjof NansenFridtjof Nansen1861–1930 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Politicians13 decades
  41. 41Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce1804–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  42. 42Benjamin DisraeliBenjamin Disraeli1804–1881 · Politicians18 decades
  43. 43Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  44. 44Patrice de MacMahonPatrice de MacMahon1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  45. 45Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  46. 46Cecil RhodesCecil Rhodes1853–1902 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians12 decades
  47. 47Antonio López de Santa AnnaAntonio López de Santa Anna1794–1876 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians18 decades
  48. 48Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · Politicians21 decades
  49. 49Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  50. 50James K. PolkJames K. Polk1795–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  51. 51Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor1784–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  52. 52Alexander GriboyedovAlexander Griboyedov1795–1829 · Politicians13 decades
  53. 53John TylerJohn Tyler1790–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  54. 54Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  55. 55Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  56. 56David Lloyd GeorgeDavid Lloyd George1863–1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  57. 57Ferdinand I of AustriaFerdinand I of Austria1793–1875 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Frederick William IV of PrussiaFrederick William IV of Prussia1795–1861 · Politicians21 decades
  59. 59Emir AbdelkaderEmir Abdelkader1808–1883 · Politicians0 decades
  60. 60Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison1833–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  61. 61Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  62. 62Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians21 decades
  63. 63Emmeline PankhurstEmmeline Pankhurst1858–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians7 decades
  64. 64Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore1800–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  65. 65Agustín I of MexicoAgustín I of Mexico1783–1824 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0 decades
  66. 66Muhammad Ali of EgyptMuhammad Ali of Egypt1769–1849 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  67. 67August BebelAugust Bebel1840–1913 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  68. 68Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  69. 69Georges-Eugène HaussmannGeorges-Eugène Haussmann1809–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  70. 70Sadi CarnotSadi Carnot1837–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians16 decades
  71. 71Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  72. 72Sergei WitteSergei Witte1849–1915 · Politicians9 decades
  73. 73Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians22 decades
  74. 74Tomáš Garrigue MasarykTomáš Garrigue Masaryk1850–1937 · Politicians1 decades
  75. 75Michel NeyMichel Ney1769–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  76. 76Paul DoumerPaul Doumer1857–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  77. 77Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  78. 78Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians18 decades
  79. 79Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians21 decades
  80. 80Rudolf, Crown Prince of AustriaRudolf, Crown Prince of Austria1858–1889 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  81. 81Arthur BalfourArthur Balfour1848–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians15 decades
  82. 82William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone1809–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians18 decades
  83. 83Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer1847–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  84. 84Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians12 decades
  85. 85Léon GambettaLéon Gambetta1838–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  86. 86Alexandre MillerandAlexandre Millerand1859–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  87. 87Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians20 decades
  88. 88Crazy HorseCrazy Horse1849–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  89. 89Theobald von Bethmann-HollwegTheobald von Bethmann-Hollweg1856–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  90. 90H. H. AsquithH. H. Asquith1852–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  91. 91Giovanni GiolittiGiovanni Giolitti1842–1928 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians14 decades
  92. 92Paul DeschanelPaul Deschanel1855–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians14 decades
  93. 93Ferdinand de LessepsFerdinand de Lesseps1805–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  94. 94Gaston DoumergueGaston Doumergue1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  95. 95Jules GrévyJules Grévy1807–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  96. 96Georgy LvovGeorgy Lvov1861–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  97. 97Armand FallièresArmand Fallières1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  98. 98Davy CrockettDavy Crockett1786–1836 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  99. 99Karl KautskyKarl Kautsky1854–1938 · Politicians13 decades
  100. 100Guadalupe VictoriaGuadalupe Victoria1786–1845 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians21 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.