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. 1NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  2. 2Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria1819–1901 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  3. 3Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures17 decades
  4. 4Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · Historical Figures21 decades
  5. 5Alexander von HumboldtAlexander von Humboldt1769–1859 · Historical Figures8 decades
  6. 6Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · Historical Figures17 decades
  7. 7Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures13 decades
  8. 8Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · Historical Figures16 decades
  9. 9Franz Joseph I of AustriaFranz Joseph I of Austria1830–1916 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures18 decades
  10. 10Empress Dowager CixiEmpress Dowager Cixi1835–1908 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures5 decades
  11. 11Leopold II of BelgiumLeopold II of Belgium1835–1909 · Historical Figures9 decades
  12. 12Empress Elisabeth of AustriaEmpress Elisabeth of Austria1837–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  13. 13William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  14. 14William IV of the United KingdomWilliam IV of the United Kingdom1765–1837 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  15. 15Victor Emmanuel II of ItalyVictor Emmanuel II of Italy1820–1878 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures12 decades
  16. 16Ludwig II of BavariaLudwig II of Bavaria1845–1886 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures18 decades
  17. 17Umberto I of ItalyUmberto I of Italy1844–1900 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures14 decades
  18. 18Albert, Prince ConsortAlbert, Prince Consort1819–1861 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  19. 19Ferdinand FochFerdinand Foch1851–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7 decades
  20. 20Abdul Hamid IIAbdul Hamid II1842–1918 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures13 decades
  21. 21Leopold I of BelgiumLeopold I of Belgium1790–1865 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  22. 22Alfonso XII of SpainAlfonso XII of Spain1857–1885 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  23. 23David LivingstoneDavid Livingstone1813–1873 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  24. 24Marie Louise, Duchess of ParmaMarie Louise, Duchess of Parma1791–1847 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures18 decades
  25. 25Emperor MeijiEmperor Meiji1852–1912 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures11 decades
  26. 26ShakaShaka1787–1828 · Historical Figures22 decades
  27. 27Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · Historical Figures17 decades
  28. 28Frederick William III of PrussiaFrederick William III of Prussia1770–1840 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  29. 29Mehmed VIMehmed VI1861–1926 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0 decades
  30. 30Pedro I of BrazilPedro I of Brazil1798–1834 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figures0 decades
  31. 31Pedro II of BrazilPedro II of Brazil1825–1891 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Historical Figures0 decades
  32. 32George Armstrong CusterGeorge Armstrong Custer1839–1876 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures7 decades
  33. 33Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace1823–1913 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures15 decades
  34. 34Alexandra of DenmarkAlexandra of Denmark1844–1925 · Historical Figures2 decades
  35. 35Eugénie de MontijoEugénie de Montijo1826–1920 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures17 decades
  36. 36George I of GreeceGeorge I of Greece1845–1913 · Historical Figures0 decades
  37. 37Gustaf V of SwedenGustaf V of Sweden1858–1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  38. 38Mahmud IIMahmud II1785–1839 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures14 decades
  39. 39Nikolay PrzhevalskyNikolay Przhevalsky1839–1888 · Historical Figures9 decades
  40. 40Christian IX of DenmarkChristian IX of Denmark1818–1906 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures16 decades
  41. 41Amadeo I of SpainAmadeo I of Spain1845–1890 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  42. 42Pyotr BagrationPyotr Bagration1765–1812 · Historical Figures7 decades
  43. 43Marie Thérèse of FranceMarie Thérèse of France1778–1851 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures8 decades
  44. 44ChulalongkornChulalongkorn1853–1910 · Historical Figures13 decades
  45. 45Otto of GreeceOtto of Greece1815–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  46. 46Oscar II of SwedenOscar II of Sweden1829–1907 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  47. 47Edward SmithEdward Smith1850–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures17 decades
  48. 48Richard Francis BurtonRichard Francis Burton1821–1890 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2 decades
  49. 49Charles XV of SwedenCharles XV of Sweden1826–1872 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  50. 50Oscar I of SwedenOscar I of Sweden1799–1859 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  51. 51William I of the NetherlandsWilliam I of the Netherlands1772–1843 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Historical Figures0 decades
  52. 52Charles de FoucauldCharles de Foucauld1858–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures11 decades
  53. 53Charles Albert of SardiniaCharles Albert of Sardinia1798–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures18 decades
  54. 54LiliʻuokalaniLiliʻuokalani1838–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  55. 55Daoguang EmperorDaoguang Emperor1782–1850 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures4 decades
  56. 56Louise of Mecklenburg-StrelitzLouise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz1776–1810 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  57. 57William III of the NetherlandsWilliam III of the Netherlands1817–1890 · Historical Figures0 decades
  58. 58Robert PearyRobert Peary1856–1920 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures3 decades
  59. 59Nicholas Miklouho-MaclayNicholas Miklouho-Maclay1846–1888 · Historical Figures5 decades
  60. 60August von MackensenAugust von Mackensen1849–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2 decades
  61. 61Carol I of RomaniaCarol I of Romania1839–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures19 decades
  62. 62Frederick VIII of DenmarkFrederick VIII of Denmark1843–1912 · Historical Figures0 decades
  63. 63Désirée ClaryDésirée Clary1777–1860 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures14 decades
  64. 64Carlota of MexicoCarlota of Mexico1840–1927 · Historical Figures0 decades
  65. 65Princess Alice of the United KingdomPrincess Alice of the United Kingdom1843–1878 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  66. 66Helmuth von Moltke the YoungerHelmuth von Moltke the Younger1848–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  67. 67Ching ShihChing Shih1775–1844 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  68. 68Jean LannesJean Lannes1769–1809 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1 decades
  69. 69Frederick VI of DenmarkFrederick VI of Denmark1768–1839 · Historical Figures0 decades
  70. 70Maria Christina of the Two SiciliesMaria Christina of the Two Sicilies1806–1878 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  71. 71SacagaweaSacagawea1788–1812 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures9 decades
  72. 72Kamehameha IKamehameha I1800–1819 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures13 decades
  73. 73Olga Constantinovna of RussiaOlga Constantinovna of Russia1851–1926 · Historical Figures16 decades
  74. 74MongkutMongkut1804–1868 · Historical Figures12 decades
  75. 75Gustav IV Adolf of SwedenGustav IV Adolf of Sweden1778–1837 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures8 decades
  76. 76Christian VIII of DenmarkChristian VIII of Denmark1786–1848 · Historical Figures0 decades
  77. 77Bahadur Shah ZafarBahadur Shah Zafar1775–1862 · 🇮🇳 India · Historical Figures6 decades
  78. 78Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-HolsteinAugusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein1858–1921 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  79. 79George EverestGeorge Everest1790–1866 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures2 decades
  80. 80Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia1856–1929 · Historical Figures5 decades
  81. 81Naser al-Din Shah QajarNaser al-Din Shah Qajar1831–1896 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  82. 82Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-SaalfeldPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld1786–1861 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  83. 83Maria Leopoldina of AustriaMaria Leopoldina of Austria1797–1826 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Historical Figures0 decades
  84. 84Frederick VII of DenmarkFrederick VII of Denmark1808–1863 · Historical Figures0 decades
  85. 85Princess Victoria of Hesse and by RhinePrincess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine1863–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  86. 86George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of KedlestonGeorge Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston1859–1925 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  87. 87Princess Charlotte of WalesPrincess Charlotte of Wales1796–1817 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  88. 88John FranklinJohn Franklin1786–1847 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  89. 89Archduke Franz Karl of AustriaArchduke Franz Karl of Austria1802–1878 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  90. 90Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by RhinePrincess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine1864–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  91. 91Princess Beatrice of the United KingdomPrincess Beatrice of the United Kingdom1857–1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  92. 92Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and StrathearnPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn1767–1820 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  93. 93Francisco de Asís, Duke of CádizFrancisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz1822–1902 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures5 decades
  94. 94Nicholas I of MontenegroNicholas I of Montenegro1841–1921 · Historical Figures0 decades
  95. 95Xianfeng EmperorXianfeng Emperor1831–1861 · Historical Figures0 decades
  96. 96Maria AlexandrovnaMaria Alexandrovna1824–1880 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  97. 97Franz Conrad von HötzendorfFranz Conrad von Hötzendorf1852–1925 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures5 decades
  98. 98James Clark RossJames Clark Ross1800–1862 · Historical Figures18 decades
  99. 99Carlota Joaquina of SpainCarlota Joaquina of Spain1775–1830 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures14 decades
  100. 100Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and GothaAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha1844–1900 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figuresnot 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.