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. 1Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  2. 2Carl von ClausewitzCarl von Clausewitz1780–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  3. 3E. T. A. HoffmannE. T. A. Hoffmann1776–1822 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  4. 4NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  5. 5Heinrich von KleistHeinrich von Kleist1777–1811 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  6. 6Friedrich HölderlinFriedrich Hölderlin1770–1843 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  7. 7Theodor FontaneTheodor Fontane1819–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  8. 8Karl MayKarl May1842–1912 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  9. 9Georg BüchnerGeorg Büchner1813–1837 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  10. 10Helmuth von Moltke the ElderHelmuth von Moltke the Elder1800–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  11. 11Theodor StormTheodor Storm1817–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers17 decades
  12. 12Wilhelm HauffWilhelm Hauff1802–1827 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers20 decades
  13. 13Leopold von RankeLeopold von Ranke1795–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  14. 14Wilhelm GrimmWilhelm Grimm1786–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  15. 15Wilhelm DiltheyWilhelm Dilthey1833–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14 decades
  16. 16MultatuliMultatuli1820–1887 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  17. 17Frank WedekindFrank Wedekind1864–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  18. 18Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  19. 19Clemens BrentanoClemens Brentano1778–1842 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  20. 20Bettina von ArnimBettina von Arnim1785–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  21. 21Anne Catherine EmmerichAnne Catherine Emmerich1774–1824 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  22. 22Elisabeth of WiedElisabeth of Wied1843–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  23. 23Philipp MainländerPhilipp Mainländer1841–1876 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2 decades
  24. 24Ernst Moritz ArndtErnst Moritz Arndt1769–1860 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  25. 25Eduard MörikeEduard Mörike1804–1875 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  26. 26Friedrich RückertFriedrich Rückert1788–1866 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  27. 27Karl Heinrich UlrichsKarl Heinrich Ulrichs1825–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3 decades
  28. 28Ricarda HuchRicarda Huch1864–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  29. 29August Wilhelm SchlegelAugust Wilhelm Schlegel1767–1845 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  30. 30Friedrich HebbelFriedrich Hebbel1813–1863 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  31. 31Duke Maximilian Joseph in BavariaDuke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria1808–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  32. 32Ludwig Achim von ArnimLudwig Achim von Arnim1781–1831 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  33. 33Siegbert TarraschSiegbert Tarrasch1862–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  34. 34Heinrich von TreitschkeHeinrich von Treitschke1834–1896 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  35. 35Franz MehringFranz Mehring1846–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers15 decades
  36. 36Wilhelm RaabeWilhelm Raabe1831–1910 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers16 decades
  37. 37Richard DehmelRichard Dehmel1863–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  38. 38Hedwig DohmHedwig Dohm1831–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  39. 39Johann Peter EckermannJohann Peter Eckermann1792–1854 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  40. 40Emanuel GeibelEmanuel Geibel1815–1884 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers18 decades
  41. 41Philip, Prince of EulenburgPhilip, Prince of Eulenburg1847–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  42. 42Augustus, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgAugustus, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1772–1822 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  43. 43Karoline von GünderrodeKaroline von Günderrode1780–1806 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  44. 44Gustav SchwabGustav Schwab1792–1850 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  45. 45Constantin von TischendorfConstantin von Tischendorf1815–1874 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  46. 46Hermann von FrançoisHermann von François1856–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  47. 47Hermann SudermannHermann Sudermann1857–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  48. 48Friedrich MeineckeFriedrich Meinecke1862–1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  49. 49Arno HolzArno Holz1863–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers15 decades
  50. 50John Henry MackayJohn Henry Mackay1864–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  51. 51Malwida Freiin von MeysenbugMalwida Freiin von Meysenbug1816–1903 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  52. 52Wilhelm Heinrich SolfWilhelm Heinrich Solf1862–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Christian Dietrich GrabbeChristian Dietrich Grabbe1801–1836 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  54. 54Emily RueteEmily Ruete1844–1924 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55Princess Marie of BattenbergPrincess Marie of Battenberg1852–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  56. 56Heinrich GraetzHeinrich Graetz1817–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  57. 57Aleksander BrücknerAleksander Brückner1856–1939 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3 decades
  58. 58Paul DeussenPaul Deussen1845–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  59. 59Ludwig von PastorLudwig von Pastor1854–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  60. 60Friedrich Carl AndreasFriedrich Carl Andreas1846–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Oskar PanizzaOskar Panizza1853–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  62. 62Adolf ErmanAdolf Erman1854–1937 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers15 decades
  63. 63Karl Max, Prince LichnowskyKarl Max, Prince Lichnowsky1860–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Princess Elisabeth Sybille of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachPrincess Elisabeth Sybille of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1854–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Sophie MereauSophie Mereau1770–1806 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Karl BrugmannKarl Brugmann1849–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  67. 67Josef MarkwartJosef Markwart1864–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Clara ViebigClara Viebig1860–1952 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  69. 69August LeskienAugust Leskien1840–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  70. 70Karl Joseph SimrockKarl Joseph Simrock1802–1876 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Júlia da Silva BruhnsJúlia da Silva Bruhns1851–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Konrad Krafft von DellmensingenKonrad Krafft von Dellmensingen1862–1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Karl Julius BelochKarl Julius Beloch1854–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Heinrich SeidelHeinrich Seidel1842–1906 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Julius MosenJulius Mosen1803–1867 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  76. 76Friedrich KlugeFriedrich Kluge1856–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Aaron BernsteinAaron Bernstein1812–1884 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Friedrich SpielhagenFriedrich Spielhagen1829–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Johannes Daniel FalkJohannes Daniel Falk1768–1826 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80Hermann von KuhlHermann von Kuhl1856–1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Otto SeeckOtto Seeck1850–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Wilhelm SchererWilhelm Scherer1841–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Emil SchürerEmil Schürer1844–1910 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Max Maria von WeberMax Maria von Weber1822–1881 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Ernst von HoeppnerErnst von Hoeppner1860–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Gustav FrenssenGustav Frenssen1863–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87Eduard SieversEduard Sievers1850–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Friedrich von PourtalèsFriedrich von Pourtalès1853–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Otto Erich HartlebenOtto Erich Hartleben1864–1905 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Max EythMax Eyth1836–1906 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Ernst von WolzogenErnst von Wolzogen1855–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Friedrich Wilhelm WeberFriedrich Wilhelm Weber1813–1894 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Arnošt MukaArnošt Muka1854–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Henriette GoldschmidtHenriette Goldschmidt1825–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Wilhelm WaiblingerWilhelm Waiblinger1804–1830 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Hermann AllmersHermann Allmers1821–1902 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Konrad von MaurerKonrad von Maurer1823–1902 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98Peter HillePeter Hille1854–1904 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99Josef KohlerJosef Kohler1849–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100EOErnst Ortlepp1800–1864 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot 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.