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. 1Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck1815–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  2. 2Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg1847–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  3. 3Clara ZetkinClara Zetkin1857–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  4. 4Klemens von MetternichKlemens von Metternich1773–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  5. 5Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians19 decades
  6. 6Pyotr StolypinPyotr Stolypin1862–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  7. 7August BebelAugust Bebel1840–1913 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  8. 8Theobald von Bethmann-HollwegTheobald von Bethmann-Hollweg1856–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  9. 9Georgy LvovGeorgy Lvov1861–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  10. 10Bernhard von BülowBernhard von Bülow1849–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  11. 11Eduard BernsteinEduard Bernstein1850–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians13 decades
  12. 12Maximilian II of BavariaMaximilian II of Bavaria1811–1864 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  13. 13Leo von CapriviLeo von Caprivi1831–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  14. 14Wilhelm MarxWilhelm Marx1863–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  15. 15Otto of BavariaOtto of Bavaria1848–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  16. 16Princess Sophie of BavariaPrincess Sophie of Bavaria1805–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  17. 17Caroline of BrunswickCaroline of Brunswick1768–1821 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  18. 18Jenny von WestphalenJenny von Westphalen1814–1881 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  19. 19Alfred von TirpitzAlfred von Tirpitz1849–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  20. 20Chlodwig, 3rd Prince of Hohenlohe-SchillingsfürstChlodwig, 3rd Prince of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst1819–1901 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  21. 21Elisabeth Förster-NietzscheElisabeth Förster-Nietzsche1846–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  22. 22Georg MichaelisGeorg Michaelis1857–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  23. 23Elisabeth Ludovika of BavariaElisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria1801–1873 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  24. 24Prince Henry of PrussiaPrince Henry of Prussia1862–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  25. 25Princess Louise of PrussiaPrincess Louise of Prussia1838–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians18 decades
  26. 26Prince George, Duke of CambridgePrince George, Duke of Cambridge1819–1904 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  27. 27Karl I of WürttembergKarl I of Württemberg1823–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians20 decades
  28. 28Prince Wilhelm Karl, Duke of UrachPrince Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach1864–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  29. 29Gustav Ritter von KahrGustav Ritter von Kahr1862–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  30. 30Prince Leopold of BavariaPrince Leopold of Bavaria1846–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians15 decades
  31. 31Princess Wilhelmine of BadenPrincess Wilhelmine of Baden1788–1836 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  32. 32Lothar von TrothaLothar von Trotha1848–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  33. 33Arthur ZimmermannArthur Zimmermann1864–1940 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4 decades
  34. 34Friedrich NaumannFriedrich Naumann1860–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  35. 35Constantin FehrenbachConstantin Fehrenbach1852–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  36. 36Hans DelbrückHans Delbrück1848–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  37. 37Prince Wilhelm, Prince of HohenzollernPrince Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern1864–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  38. 38Hugo HaaseHugo Haase1863–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  39. 39Friedrich Ferdinand, Duke of Schleswig-HolsteinFriedrich Ferdinand, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein1855–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians17 decades
  40. 40Princess Adelgunde of BavariaPrincess Adelgunde of Bavaria1823–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  41. 41Duke Maximilian Emanuel in BavariaDuke Maximilian Emanuel in Bavaria1849–1893 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  42. 42Duke Ludwig Wilhelm in BavariaDuke Ludwig Wilhelm in Bavaria1831–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  43. 43Hans Hartwig von BeselerHans Hartwig von Beseler1850–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  44. 44Princess Marie of Hesse and by RhinePrincess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine1874–1878 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  45. 45Hugo PreußHugo Preuß1860–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  46. 46Ernst II, Prince of Hohenlohe-LangenburgErnst II, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg1863–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  47. 47Adolf BertramAdolf Bertram1859–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Oskar von MillerOskar von Miller1855–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  49. 49Princess Marie of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtPrincess Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1850–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Helene LangeHelene Lange1848–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Max von HausenMax von Hausen1846–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  52. 52Karl von EinemKarl von Einem1853–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Maximilian Maria, 7th Prince of Thurn and TaxisMaximilian Maria, 7th Prince of Thurn and Taxis1862–1885 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  54. 54Henning von HoltzendorffHenning von Holtzendorff1853–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Josias von HeeringenJosias von Heeringen1850–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  56. 56Eugen von KnillingEugen von Knilling1856–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  57. 57Friedrich Theodor VischerFriedrich Theodor Vischer1807–1887 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  58. 58Remus von WoyrschRemus von Woyrsch1847–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Karl LitzmannKarl Litzmann1850–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  60. 60Kuno von WestarpKuno von Westarp1864–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  61. 61Princess Pauline of Waldeck and PyrmontPrincess Pauline of Waldeck and Pyrmont1855–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  62. 62Friedrich Julius StahlFriedrich Julius Stahl1802–1861 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  63. 63Hermann von SteinHermann von Stein1854–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Fritz Bronsart von SchellendorfFritz Bronsart von Schellendorf1864–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Theodor LeutweinTheodor Leutwein1849–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Otto Theodor von ManteuffelOtto Theodor von Manteuffel1805–1882 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  67. 67Carl LegienCarl Legien1861–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Antoni Wilhelm RadziwiłłAntoni Wilhelm Radziwiłł1833–1904 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  69. 69Eduard DavidEduard David1863–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  70. 70Theodor FritschTheodor Fritsch1852–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Arthur von Posadowsky-WehnerArthur von Posadowsky-Wehner1845–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  72. 72Adolf Wild von HohenbornAdolf Wild von Hohenborn1860–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Princess Caroline Amalie of Hesse-HomburgPrincess Caroline Amalie of Hesse-Homburg1819–1872 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Friedrich RosenFriedrich Rosen1856–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Karl NobilingKarl Nobiling1848–1878 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  76. 76Georg LedebourGeorg Ledebour1850–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Theodor LewaldTheodor Lewald1860–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  78. 78Emil EichhornEmil Eichhorn1863–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Felix von HartmannFelix von Hartmann1851–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  80. 80Simon BambergerSimon Bamberger1846–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  81. 81Charles, 6th Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-RosenbergCharles, 6th Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg1834–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Friedrich von PayerFriedrich von Payer1847–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  83. 83Clemens von DelbrückClemens von Delbrück1856–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Eduard von CapelleEduard von Capelle1855–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  85. 85Victor II, Duke of RatiborVictor II, Duke of Ratibor1847–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  86. 86Wilhelm BlosWilhelm Blos1849–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  87. 87Moses AlexanderMoses Alexander1853–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  88. 88Hans Carl Adolph von CarlowitzHans Carl Adolph von Carlowitz1858–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Karl vom Stein zum AltensteinKarl vom Stein zum Altenstein1770–1840 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Heinrich CunowHeinrich Cunow1862–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Georg von VollmarGeorg von Vollmar1850–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Leo AronsLeo Arons1860–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Theodor SeitzTheodor Seitz1863–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Heinrich ScheuchHeinrich Scheuch1864–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Christian Kraft, 5th Prince of Hohenlohe-Öhringen, 2nd Duke of UjestChristian Kraft, 5th Prince of Hohenlohe-Öhringen, 2nd Duke of Ujest1848–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  96. 96Joseph Hormayr, Baron zu HortenburgJoseph Hormayr, Baron zu Hortenburg1781–1848 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  97. 97HOHermann of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich1838–1899 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  98. 98Bruno, 3rd Prince of Ysenburg and BüdingenBruno, 3rd Prince of Ysenburg and Büdingen1837–1906 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  99. 99Johann von ZwehlJohann von Zwehl1851–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  100. 100Hugo von KathenHugo von Kathen1855–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot 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.