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. 1Alfred NobelAlfred Nobel1833–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists13 decades
  2. 2Caspar David FriedrichCaspar David Friedrich1774–1840 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists11 decades
  3. 3Selma LagerlöfSelma Lagerlöf1858–1940 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers7 decades
  4. 4Sofia KovalevskayaSofia Kovalevskaya1850–1891 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics14 decades
  5. 5August StrindbergAugust Strindberg1849–1912 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers8 decades
  6. 6Svante ArrheniusSvante Arrhenius1859–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists6 decades
  7. 7Gustaf V of SwedenGustaf V of Sweden1858–1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  8. 8Oscar II of SwedenOscar II of Sweden1829–1907 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  9. 9Charles XV of SwedenCharles XV of Sweden1826–1872 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  10. 10Jöns Jacob BerzeliusJöns Jacob Berzelius1779–1848 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  11. 11Jenny LindJenny Lind1820–1887 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians18 decades
  12. 12Anders ZornAnders Zorn1860–1920 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  13. 13Gustav IV Adolf of SwedenGustav IV Adolf of Sweden1778–1837 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures8 decades
  14. 14Hilma af KlintHilma af Klint1862–1944 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  15. 15Carl LarssonCarl Larsson1853–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists4 decades
  16. 16Louise of SwedenLouise of Sweden1851–1926 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  17. 17Ellen KeyEllen Key1849–1926 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers11 decades
  18. 18Josephine of LeuchtenbergJosephine of Leuchtenberg1807–1876 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  19. 19Axel MuntheAxel Munthe1857–1949 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Doctors2 decades
  20. 20Fredrika BremerFredrika Bremer1801–1865 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers16 decades
  21. 21Prince Carl, Duke of VästergötlandPrince Carl, Duke of Västergötland1861–1951 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures13 decades
  22. 22Hjalmar BrantingHjalmar Branting1860–1925 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians1 decades
  23. 23Verner von HeidenstamVerner von Heidenstam1859–1940 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers1 decades
  24. 24Elias LönnrotElias Lönnrot1802–1884 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Doctors0 decades
  25. 25Adolf Erik NordenskiöldAdolf Erik Nordenskiöld1832–1901 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  26. 26Salomon August AndréeSalomon August Andrée1854–1897 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  27. 27Johan Ludvig RunebergJohan Ludvig Runeberg1804–1877 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  28. 28Gustav, Prince of VasaGustav, Prince of Vasa1799–1877 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  29. 29Frederica of BadenFrederica of Baden1781–1826 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  30. 30John EricssonJohn Ericsson1803–1889 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists19 decades
  31. 31Erik Axel KarlfeldtErik Axel Karlfeldt1864–1931 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  32. 32Princess Sophie of SwedenPrincess Sophie of Sweden1801–1865 · 🇸🇪 Sweden0 decades
  33. 33Johan Vilhelm SnellmanJohan Vilhelm Snellman1806–1881 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  34. 34Anders Jonas ÅngströmAnders Jonas Ångström1814–1874 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  35. 35Elizabeth StrideElizabeth Stride1843–1888 · 🇸🇪 Sweden1 decades
  36. 36Esaias TegnérEsaias Tegnér1782–1846 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  37. 37Gustaf FrödingGustaf Fröding1860–1911 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  38. 38Princess Eugénie of SwedenPrincess Eugénie of Sweden1830–1889 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  39. 39Christina NilssonChristina Nilsson1843–1921 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors0 decades
  40. 40Carl Jonas Love AlmqvistCarl Jonas Love Almqvist1793–1866 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  41. 41Prince Gustaf, Duke of UpplandPrince Gustaf, Duke of Uppland1827–1852 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians2 decades
  42. 42Lars Levi LæstadiusLars Levi Læstadius1800–1861 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  43. 43Rudolf KjellénRudolf Kjellén1864–1922 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics0 decades
  44. 44Prince Oscar BernadottePrince Oscar Bernadotte1859–1953 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  45. 45Hjalmar HammarskjöldHjalmar Hammarskjöld1862–1953 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  46. 46Immanuel NobelImmanuel Nobel1801–1872 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Architects0 decades
  47. 47Gösta Mittag-LefflerGösta Mittag-Leffler1846–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics0 decades
  48. 48Franz BerwaldFranz Berwald1796–1868 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  49. 49Knut WicksellKnut Wicksell1851–1926 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics7 decades
  50. 50Louis de Geer the ElderLouis de Geer the Elder1818–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Gustaf de LavalGustaf de Laval1845–1913 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  52. 52Victoria BenedictssonVictoria Benedictsson1850–1888 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  53. 53Bruno LiljeforsBruno Liljefors1860–1939 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  54. 54Viktor RydbergViktor Rydberg1828–1895 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  55. 55Pehr Henrik LingPehr Henrik Ling1776–1839 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  56. 56Johannes RydbergJohannes Rydberg1854–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  57. 57Carl August, Crown Prince of SwedenCarl August, Crown Prince of Sweden1768–1810 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  58. 58Oscar SwahnOscar Swahn1847–1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Athletes0 decades
  59. 59Erik Gustaf GeijerErik Gustaf Geijer1783–1847 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  60. 60Arvid LindmanArvid Lindman1862–1936 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  61. 61Lars Magnus EricssonLars Magnus Ericsson1846–1926 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  62. 62Allvar GullstrandAllvar Gullstrand1862–1930 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Doctors0 decades
  63. 63Prince August, Duke of DalarnaPrince August, Duke of Dalarna1831–1873 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Carl Ludvig EngelCarl Ludvig Engel1778–1840 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Architects0 decades
  65. 65Elias Magnus FriesElias Magnus Fries1794–1878 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  66. 66Per Teodor ClevePer Teodor Cleve1840–1905 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  67. 67Elfrida AndréeElfrida Andrée1841–1929 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  68. 68Karin LarssonKarin Larsson1859–1928 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  69. 69Robert NobelRobert Nobel1829–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Foundersnot measured—
  70. 70Anna WhitlockAnna Whitlock1852–1930 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Journalistsnot measured—
  71. 71Carl Fredrik HillCarl Fredrik Hill1849–1911 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  72. 72Karl StaaffKarl Staaff1860–1915 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  73. 73Bernhard CrusellBernhard Crusell1775–1838 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  74. 74August PalmAugust Palm1849–1922 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Lina SandellLina Sandell1832–1903 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  76. 76Erik Johan StagneliusErik Johan Stagnelius1793–1823 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  77. 77Oscar MonteliusOscar Montelius1843–1921 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics0 decades
  78. 78Gillis BildtGillis Bildt1820–1894 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Alice TegnérAlice Tegnér1864–1943 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  80. 80Princess Amalia of SwedenPrincess Amalia of Sweden1805–1853 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  81. 81Jenny NyströmJenny Nyström1854–1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  82. 82Eugène JanssonEugène Jansson1862–1915 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  83. 83August MalmströmAugust Malmström1829–1901 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Erik Gustaf BoströmErik Gustaf Boström1842–1907 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  85. 85Richard BerghRichard Bergh1858–1919 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists0 decades
  86. 86Prince Carl Oscar, Duke of SödermanlandPrince Carl Oscar, Duke of Södermanland1852–1854 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  87. 87Karolina OlssonKarolina Olsson1861–1950 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  88. 88Hanna Hirsch-PauliHanna Hirsch-Pauli1864–1940 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  89. 89Arvid PosseArvid Posse1820–1901 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  90. 90Ferdinand BobergFerdinand Boberg1860–1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Architectsnot measured—
  91. 91Johan August ArfwedsonJohan August Arfwedson1792–1841 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  92. 92Carl SwartzCarl Swartz1858–1926 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  93. 93Lea AhlbornLea Ahlborn1826–1897 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  94. 94Ernst JosephsonErnst Josephson1851–1906 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  95. 95Gerhard Louis De GeerGerhard Louis De Geer1854–1935 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  96. 96Carl Gustaf MosanderCarl Gustaf Mosander1797–1858 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists0 decades
  97. 97Mårten Eskil WingeMårten Eskil Winge1825–1896 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98Carl Gustaf MannerheimCarl Gustaf Mannerheim1797–1854 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  99. 99Ola HanssonOla Hansson1860–1925 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Klas Pontus ArnoldsonKlas Pontus Arnoldson1844–1916 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 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.