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 Chinese books during the 19th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers870
  2. 2Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians149
  3. 3Zhang ZhidongZhang Zhidong1837–1909 · 19th century · Politicians86
  4. 4Zuo ZongtangZuo Zongtang1812–1885 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians43
  5. 5Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers40
  6. 6Ge HongGe Hong284–364 · 4th century · Academics40
  7. 7CSChen Shou233–297 · 3rd century · Writers14
  8. 8Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians12
  9. 9Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers11

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. 1Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades
  2. 2Ludwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven1770–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians21 decades
  3. 3Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche1844–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  4. 4Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck1815–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  6. 6Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  7. 7Georg Wilhelm Friedrich HegelGeorg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel1770–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades
  8. 8Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures17 decades
  9. 9Carl Friedrich GaussCarl Friedrich Gauss1777–1855 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics11 decades
  10. 10Johannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms1833–1897 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians17 decades
  11. 11Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  12. 12Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics17 decades
  13. 13Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg1847–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  14. 14Max PlanckMax Planck1858–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  15. 15Robert SchumannRobert Schumann1810–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians19 decades
  16. 16Empress Elisabeth of AustriaEmpress Elisabeth of Austria1837–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  17. 17William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  18. 18Wilhelm RöntgenWilhelm Röntgen1845–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  19. 19Robert KochRobert Koch1843–1910 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors14 decades
  20. 20Richard StraussRichard Strauss1864–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians13 decades
  21. 21Carl von ClausewitzCarl von Clausewitz1780–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  22. 22E. T. A. HoffmannE. T. A. Hoffmann1776–1822 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  23. 23Clara ZetkinClara Zetkin1857–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  24. 24Karl BenzKarl Benz1844–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  25. 25NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  26. 26Ludwig II of BavariaLudwig II of Bavaria1845–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures18 decades
  27. 27Klemens von MetternichKlemens von Metternich1773–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  28. 28Heinrich von KleistHeinrich von Kleist1777–1811 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  29. 29Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians19 decades
  30. 30Friedrich HölderlinFriedrich Hölderlin1770–1843 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  31. 31Pyotr StolypinPyotr Stolypin1862–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  32. 32Theodor FontaneTheodor Fontane1819–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  33. 33Albert, Prince ConsortAlbert, Prince Consort1819–1861 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  34. 34Leopold I of BelgiumLeopold I of Belgium1790–1865 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  35. 35Ludwig FeuerbachLudwig Feuerbach1804–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics19 decades
  36. 36Theodor MommsenTheodor Mommsen1817–1903 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics18 decades
  37. 37Karl MayKarl May1842–1912 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  38. 38Ernst HaeckelErnst Haeckel1834–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists16 decades
  39. 39Wilhelm von HumboldtWilhelm von Humboldt1767–1835 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  40. 40Georg BüchnerGeorg Büchner1813–1837 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  41. 41Bernhard RiemannBernhard Riemann1826–1866 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12 decades
  42. 42Carl Maria von WeberCarl Maria von Weber1786–1826 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians21 decades
  43. 43Justus von LiebigJustus von Liebig1803–1873 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists17 decades
  44. 44Helmuth von Moltke the ElderHelmuth von Moltke the Elder1800–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  45. 45Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph SchellingFriedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling1775–1854 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades
  46. 46Jacob GrimmJacob Grimm1785–1863 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades
  47. 47Georg OhmGeorg Ohm1789–1854 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists12 decades
  48. 48Wilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch1832–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists15 decades
  49. 49Heinrich SchliemannHeinrich Schliemann1822–1890 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  50. 50Frederick William III of PrussiaFrederick William III of Prussia1770–1840 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  51. 51August BebelAugust Bebel1840–1913 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  52. 52Hermann von HelmholtzHermann von Helmholtz1821–1894 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  53. 53Gottlieb DaimlerGottlieb Daimler1834–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  54. 54Gottlob FregeGottlob Frege1848–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades
  55. 55Otto LilienthalOtto Lilienthal1848–1896 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  56. 56Werner von SiemensWerner von Siemens1816–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  57. 57Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt1832–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  58. 58Karl Friedrich SchinkelKarl Friedrich Schinkel1781–1841 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Architects16 decades
  59. 59Christian IX of DenmarkChristian IX of Denmark1818–1906 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures16 decades
  60. 60Philipp LenardPhilipp Lenard1862–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  61. 61Theodor StormTheodor Storm1817–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  62. 62Max LiebermannMax Liebermann1847–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists13 decades
  63. 63Theobald von Bethmann-HollwegTheobald von Bethmann-Hollweg1856–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  64. 64Alois AlzheimerAlois Alzheimer1864–1915 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors3 decades
  65. 65Georgy LvovGeorgy Lvov1861–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  66. 66Friedrich FröbelFriedrich Fröbel1782–1852 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Educators18 decades
  67. 67Karl WeierstrassKarl Weierstrass1815–1897 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades
  68. 68Wilhelm HauffWilhelm Hauff1802–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers20 decades
  69. 69Leopold von RankeLeopold von Ranke1795–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  70. 70Carl ZeissCarl Zeiss1816–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  71. 71Bernhard von BülowBernhard von Bülow1849–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  72. 72Ferdinand von ZeppelinFerdinand von Zeppelin1838–1917 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists5 decades
  73. 73Wilhelm GrimmWilhelm Grimm1786–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  74. 74Eduard BernsteinEduard Bernstein1850–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians13 decades
  75. 75Louise of Mecklenburg-StrelitzLouise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz1776–1810 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  76. 76August von MackensenAugust von Mackensen1849–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2 decades
  77. 77Peter Gustav Lejeune DirichletPeter Gustav Lejeune Dirichlet1805–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades
  78. 78Carol I of RomaniaCarol I of Romania1839–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures19 decades
  79. 79Maximilian II of BavariaMaximilian II of Bavaria1811–1864 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  80. 80Carl Gustav Jacob JacobiCarl Gustav Jacob Jacobi1804–1851 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1 decades
  81. 81Ludwig III of BavariaLudwig III of Bavaria1845–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  82. 82Helmuth von Moltke the YoungerHelmuth von Moltke the Younger1848–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  83. 83Felix KleinFelix Klein1849–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics15 decades
  84. 84Robert BoschRobert Bosch1861–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists13 decades
  85. 85Annette von Droste-HülshoffAnnette von Droste-Hülshoff1797–1848 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians14 decades
  86. 86Max MüllerMax Müller1823–1900 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics5 decades
  87. 87Wilhelm DiltheyWilhelm Dilthey1833–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  88. 88Leo von CapriviLeo von Caprivi1831–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  89. 89Wilhelm MarxWilhelm Marx1863–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  90. 90Otto of BavariaOtto of Bavaria1848–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Max BruchMax Bruch1838–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians17 decades
  92. 92Houston Stewart ChamberlainHouston Stewart Chamberlain1855–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades
  93. 93Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-SaalfeldPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld1786–1861 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  94. 94Princess Victoria of Hesse and by RhinePrincess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine1863–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  95. 95Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by RhinePrincess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine1864–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  96. 96Princess Sophie of BavariaPrincess Sophie of Bavaria1805–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  97. 97Maria AlexandrovnaMaria Alexandrovna1824–1880 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  98. 98MultatuliMultatuli1820–1887 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  99. 99Victoria of BadenVictoria of Baden1862–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  100. 100Adelaide of Saxe-MeiningenAdelaide of Saxe-Meiningen1792–1849 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 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.