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

In books written inEnglish18,114German3,599French3,347Italian1,787Spanish1,162Russian325Hebrew105Chinese9
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures94
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers15
  3. 3CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  4. 4AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians13
  5. 5PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics10
  6. 6VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers9.6
  7. 7AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.4
  8. 8SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics6.4
  9. 9HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers6.2
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures5.9
  11. 11Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures5.9
  12. 12Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians5.9
  13. 13PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics5.6
  14. 14OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.2
  15. 15StraboStrabo63 BC–23 · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.1
  16. 16CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures3.9
  17. 17DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.8
  18. 18Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.6
  19. 19Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.5
  20. 20HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.5
  21. 21Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.5
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.5
  23. 23Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.5
  24. 24HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.5
  25. 25LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.4
  26. 26OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics3.1
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures3.0
  28. 28XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.0
  29. 29Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3.0
  30. 30Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians2.8
  31. 31Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.8
  32. 32Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  33. 33Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century2.8
  34. 34Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century2.8
  35. 35Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models2.8
  36. 36Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.8
  37. 37HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.8
  38. 38TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics2.7
  39. 39James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century2.6
  40. 40Robert PeelRobert Peel1788–1850 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians2.6
  41. 41Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France2.6
  42. 42PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians2.5
  43. 43Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century2.5
  44. 44Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.5
  45. 45HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.5
  46. 46John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians2.4
  47. 47EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.4
  48. 48John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures2.4
  49. 49Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  50. 50Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  51. 51Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.3
  52. 52Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century2.3
  53. 53Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  54. 54Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  55. 55Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.3
  56. 56Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.3
  57. 57Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.3
  58. 58Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.3
  59. 59HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.3
  60. 60Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models2.3
  61. 61OthoOtho32–69 · 1st century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.3
  62. 62TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.3
  63. 63BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.3
  64. 64SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.2
  65. 65EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.2
  66. 66ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.1
  67. 67PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  68. 68PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers2.0
  69. 69Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.9
  70. 70Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.9
  71. 71SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.9
  72. 72John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.8
  73. 73VespasianVespasian9–79 · 1st century · Politicians1.8
  74. 74AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.8
  75. 75William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.7
  76. 76Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.7
  77. 77Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures1.7
  78. 78HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors1.7
  79. 79AlcibiadesAlcibiades450 BC–404 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.6
  80. 80AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models1.6
  81. 81Isaac NewtonIsaac Newton1642–1727 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.6
  82. 82WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th century1.6
  83. 83WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  84. 84WIWilliam III, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  85. 85William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.6
  86. 86William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  87. 87WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  88. 88WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.6
  89. 89John BullJohn Bull1562–1628 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians1.6
  90. 90George II, Duke of Württemberg-MontbéliardGeorge II, Duke of Württemberg-Montbéliard1626–1699 · 17th century1.6
  91. 91George II, Duke of BriegGeorge II, Duke of Brieg1523–1586 · 16th century1.6
  92. 92George II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsGeorge II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1512–1553 · 16th century1.6
  93. 93PolybiusPolybius200 BC–120 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.5
  94. 94GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.5
  95. 95HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  96. 96LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  97. 97LucanLucan39–65 · 1st century · Writers1.4
  98. 98William JonesWilliam Jones1746–1794 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.4
  99. 99William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 11th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.4

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. 1Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur1822–1895 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  2. 2Gustave EiffelGustave Eiffel1832–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  3. 3Pierre CuriePierre Curie1859–1906 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  4. 4André-Marie AmpèreAndré-Marie Ampère1775–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  5. 5Rudolf DieselRudolf Diesel1858–1913 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists10 decades
  6. 6Henri BecquerelHenri Becquerel1852–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  7. 7Louis BrailleLouis Braille1809–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  8. 8Georges CuvierGeorges Cuvier1769–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists21 decades
  9. 9Nicéphore NiépceNicéphore Niépce1765–1833 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists6 decades
  10. 10Louis DaguerreLouis Daguerre1787–1851 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  11. 11Nicolas Léonard Sadi CarnotNicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot1796–1832 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  12. 12Joseph Louis Gay-LussacJoseph Louis Gay-Lussac1778–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  13. 13Élie MetchnikoffÉlie Metchnikoff1845–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  14. 14Léon FoucaultLéon Foucault1819–1868 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  15. 15Augustin-Jean FresnelAugustin-Jean Fresnel1788–1827 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  16. 16Camille FlammarionCamille Flammarion1842–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  17. 17Clément AderClément Ader1841–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists11 decades
  18. 18Urbain Le VerrierUrbain Le Verrier1811–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists4 decades
  19. 19Marcellin BerthelotMarcellin Berthelot1827–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists15 decades
  20. 20Michel Eugène ChevreulMichel Eugène Chevreul1786–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  21. 21Gabriel LippmannGabriel Lippmann1845–1921 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists7 decades
  22. 22Louis Le PrinceLouis Le Princeborn 1841 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  23. 23Jean Eugène Robert-HoudinJean Eugène Robert-Houdin1805–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  24. 24Henry Louis Le ChatelierHenry Louis Le Chatelier1850–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists12 decades
  25. 25Jean-Baptiste BiotJean-Baptiste Biot1774–1862 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  26. 26Henri MoissanHenri Moissan1852–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  27. 27Claude-Louis NavierClaude-Louis Navier1785–1836 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  28. 28Étienne-Jules MareyÉtienne-Jules Marey1830–1904 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  29. 29Guillaume Henri DufourGuillaume Henri Dufour1787–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  30. 30Edmond BecquerelEdmond Becquerel1820–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  31. 31Édouard-Léon Scott de MartinvilleÉdouard-Léon Scott de Martinville1817–1879 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  32. 32André-Jacques GarnerinAndré-Jacques Garnerin1769–1823 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  33. 33Marc Isambard BrunelMarc Isambard Brunel1769–1849 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  34. 34Paul SabatierPaul Sabatier1854–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  35. 35Pierre DuhemPierre Duhem1861–1916 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists12 decades
  36. 36Paul Vidal de La BlachePaul Vidal de La Blache1845–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  37. 37Benoît Paul Émile ClapeyronBenoît Paul Émile Clapeyron1799–1864 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  38. 38Pierre JanssenPierre Janssen1824–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  39. 39André MichelinAndré Michelin1853–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists6 decades
  40. 40Roland BonaparteRoland Bonaparte1858–1924 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  41. 41Jean-Baptiste DumasJean-Baptiste Dumas1800–1884 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  42. 42Louis LumièreLouis Lumière1864–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists13 decades
  43. 43Éleuthère Irénée du PontÉleuthère Irénée du Pont1771–1834 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  44. 44Alcide d'OrbignyAlcide d'Orbigny1802–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  45. 45Armand DavidArmand David1826–1900 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  46. 46Antoine BéchampAntoine Béchamp1816–1908 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  47. 47Marc SeguinMarc Seguin1786–1875 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists16 decades
  48. 48Édouard BranlyÉdouard Branly1844–1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  49. 49Louis Jacques ThénardLouis Jacques Thénard1777–1857 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  50. 50Henry DarcyHenry Darcy1803–1858 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  51. 51Émile BaudotÉmile Baudot1845–1903 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  52. 52Henri Marie Ducrotay de BlainvilleHenri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville1777–1850 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  53. 53Charles-Adolphe WurtzCharles-Adolphe Wurtz1817–1884 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  54. 54Jeanne Villepreux-PowerJeanne Villepreux-Power1794–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  55. 55Charles Joseph MinardCharles Joseph Minard1781–1870 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  56. 56Antoine Thomson d'AbbadieAntoine Thomson d'Abbadie1810–1897 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  57. 57Fulgence BienvenüeFulgence Bienvenüe1852–1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  58. 58Paul-Émile Lecoq de BoisbaudranPaul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran1838–1912 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  59. 59Félix SavartFélix Savart1791–1841 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists3 decades
  60. 60Henri GiffardHenri Giffard1825–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists4 decades
  61. 61Charles FriedelCharles Friedel1832–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists7 decades
  62. 62Jean Charles Athanase PeltierJean Charles Athanase Peltier1785–1845 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  63. 63Gaston PlantéGaston Planté1834–1889 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  64. 64Henri Victor RegnaultHenri Victor Regnault1810–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists7 decades
  65. 65Antoine César BecquerelAntoine César Becquerel1788–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  66. 66Henri MouhotHenri Mouhot1826–1861 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  67. 67Édouard-Alfred MartelÉdouard-Alfred Martel1859–1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  68. 68Victor LoretVictor Loret1859–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists9 decades
  69. 69Paul Ulrich VillardPaul Ulrich Villard1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  70. 70Alexandre BrongniartAlexandre Brongniart1770–1847 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists22 decades
  71. 71Léon GaumontLéon Gaumont1864–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  72. 72François-Vincent RaspailFrançois-Vincent Raspail1794–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  73. 73Antoine Jérôme BalardAntoine Jérôme Balard1802–1876 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  74. 74Jacques-Arsène d'ArsonvalJacques-Arsène d'Arsonval1851–1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists4 decades
  75. 75Jacques CurieJacques Curie1855–1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  76. 76Octave ChanuteOctave Chanute1832–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  77. 77Édouard RocheÉdouard Roche1820–1883 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  78. 78Adolphe AlphandAdolphe Alphand1817–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists2 decades
  79. 79Charles Frédéric GerhardtCharles Frédéric Gerhardt1816–1856 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists5 decades
  80. 80Bernard CourtoisBernard Courtois1777–1838 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  81. 81Auguste BravaisAuguste Bravais1811–1863 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists1 decades
  82. 82Augustin Saint-HilaireAugustin Saint-Hilaire1779–1853 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists14 decades
  83. 83Auguste LumièreAuguste Lumière1862–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  84. 84Paul HéroultPaul Héroult1863–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  85. 85Alexis BouvardAlexis Bouvard1767–1843 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  86. 86Frédéric CuvierFrédéric Cuvier1773–1838 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists19 decades
  87. 87Pierre Louis DulongPierre Louis Dulong1785–1838 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  88. 88Alphonse Pyramus de CandolleAlphonse Pyramus de Candolle1806–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  89. 89PBPierre-François Bouchard1771–1822 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  90. 90Jean-Baptiste BoussingaultJean-Baptiste Boussingault1801–1887 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  91. 91Casimir LefaucheuxCasimir Lefaucheux1802–1852 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  92. 92Claude GayClaude Gay1800–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  93. 93Gustave TrouvéGustave Trouvé1839–1902 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  94. 94Léon Charles ThéveninLéon Charles Thévenin1857–1926 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  95. 95Maurice KoechlinMaurice Koechlin1856–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  96. 96Hippolyte Mège-MourièsHippolyte Mège-Mouriès1817–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  97. 97François-Marie RaoultFrançois-Marie Raoult1830–1901 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 decades
  98. 98Jules Antoine LissajousJules Antoine Lissajous1822–1880 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  99. 99Auguste CharloisAuguste Charlois1864–1910 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientistsnot measured—
  100. 100Anselme PayenAnselme Payen1795–1871 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0 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.