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 BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century3.5
  20. 20Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.5
  21. 21Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures3.5
  22. 22HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.5
  23. 23HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century3.5
  24. 24Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians3.5
  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. 31HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures2.8
  32. 32Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians2.8
  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, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  37. 37Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century2.8
  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 VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians2.5
  44. 44HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century2.5
  45. 45Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th 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, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  50. 50Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century2.3
  51. 51Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century2.3
  52. 52Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century2.3
  53. 53Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.3
  54. 54Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  55. 55Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century2.3
  56. 56Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  57. 57Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  58. 58HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century2.3
  59. 59Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th 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, Count of Burgundy1110–1127 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  83. 83WIWilliam III, Marquess of Montferrat970–1042 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  84. 84WIWilliam III, Count of Jülich1150–1218 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  85. 85William III, Count of ToulouseWilliam III, Count of Toulouse975–1037 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.6
  86. 86WIWilliam III, Count of Genevaborn 1280 · 14th century1.6
  87. 87William III, Duke of BavariaWilliam III, Duke of Bavaria1375–1435 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.6
  88. 88WIWilliam III, Duke of Aquitaine910–963 · 10th 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. 1Wilhelm BuschWilhelm Busch1832–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists15 decades
  2. 2Max LiebermannMax Liebermann1847–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists13 decades
  3. 3Lovis CorinthLovis Corinth1858–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists11 decades
  4. 4Franz StuckFranz Stuck1863–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists9 decades
  5. 5Carl SpitzwegCarl Spitzweg1808–1885 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists10 decades
  6. 6Franz Xaver WinterhalterFranz Xaver Winterhalter1805–1873 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists3 decades
  7. 7Wilhelm von GloedenWilhelm von Gloeden1856–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists3 decades
  8. 8Philipp Otto RungePhilipp Otto Runge1777–1810 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists17 decades
  9. 9Max KlingerMax Klinger1857–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists14 decades
  10. 10Hans ThomaHans Thoma1839–1924 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists14 decades
  11. 11Heinrich ZilleHeinrich Zille1858–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  12. 12Rudolf von AltRudolf von Alt1812–1905 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists10 decades
  13. 13Adolf von HildebrandAdolf von Hildebrand1847–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists11 decades
  14. 14Willy StöwerWilly Stöwer1864–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  15. 15Lesser UryLesser Ury1861–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  16. 16Princess Mathilde of SaxonyPrincess Mathilde of Saxony1863–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  17. 17Joseph Anton KochJoseph Anton Koch1768–1839 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  18. 18Guglielmo PlüschowGuglielmo Plüschow1852–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  19. 19Adolf HölzelAdolf Hölzel1853–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  20. 20OWOtto Wilhelm Thomé1840–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  21. 21Nicola PerscheidNicola Perscheid1864–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  22. 22Friedrich August von KaulbachFriedrich August von Kaulbach1850–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  23. 23Ferdinand KellerFerdinand Keller1842–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  24. 24HHHeinrich Harder1858–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  25. 25Carl RöchlingCarl Röchling1855–1920 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  26. 26Christian Wilhelm AllersChristian Wilhelm Allers1857–1915 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  27. 27Ludwig von HofmannLudwig von Hofmann1861–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  28. 28Emil DoeplerEmil Doepler1855–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  29. 29Julie WolfthornJulie Wolfthorn1864–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  30. 30Eduard von GrütznerEduard von Grützner1846–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  31. 31Dora HitzDora Hitz1856–1924 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  32. 32Sabine LepsiusSabine Lepsius1864–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  33. 33Franz PforrFranz Pforr1788–1812 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  34. 34Hermann Ottomar HerzogHermann Ottomar Herzog1832–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  35. 35Heinrich KleyHeinrich Kley1863–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  36. 36Adolfo HohensteinAdolfo Hohenstein1854–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  37. 37Eduard von GebhardtEduard von Gebhardt1838–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  38. 38Arthur KampfArthur Kampf1864–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  39. 39Leopold Graf von KalckreuthLeopold Graf von Kalckreuth1855–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  40. 40Leopold Carl MüllerLeopold Carl Müller1834–1892 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  41. 41Paul BaumPaul Baum1859–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  42. 42Hugo VogelHugo Vogel1855–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  43. 43Nicola MarschallNicola Marschall1829–1917 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  44. 44Friedrich NerlyFriedrich Nerly1807–1878 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  45. 45Edward Theodore ComptonEdward Theodore Compton1849–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  46. 46Heinrich von ZügelHeinrich von Zügel1850–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  47. 47Otto ScholdererOtto Scholderer1834–1902 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  48. 48Ida GerhardiIda Gerhardi1862–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  49. 49Carl WernerCarl Werner1808–1894 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Otto HuppOtto Hupp1859–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  51. 51Fritz SchaperFritz Schaper1841–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  52. 52Theodor HagenTheodor Hagen1842–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  53. 53Peter JanssenPeter Janssen1844–1908 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  54. 54Alois AuerAlois Auer1813–1869 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  55. 55Hermann KnackfußHermann Knackfuß1848–1915 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  56. 56Hugo von HabermannHugo von Habermann1849–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  57. 57Louis TuaillonLouis Tuaillon1862–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  58. 58Gustavus von TempskyGustavus von Tempsky1828–1868 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  59. 59Hans OldeHans Olde1855–1917 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  60. 60Carl Emil DoeplerCarl Emil Doepler1824–1905 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  61. 61Emil AdamEmil Adam1843–1924 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  62. 62Karl GussowKarl Gussow1843–1907 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  63. 63Wilhelm Lindenschmit the YoungerWilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger1829–1895 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  64. 64Hermann VogelHermann Vogel1854–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  65. 65Theodore William AchtermannTheodore William Achtermann1799–1884 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  66. 66Reinhold LepsiusReinhold Lepsius1857–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  67. 67Ludwig ManzelLudwig Manzel1858–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  68. 68Alexander von SauerweidAlexander von Sauerweid1783–1844 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  69. 69Hans BohrdtHans Bohrdt1857–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  70. 70Ludwig von HerterichLudwig von Herterich1856–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  71. 71Stanislaus von KalckreuthStanislaus von Kalckreuth1820–1894 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  72. 72Christian LandenbergerChristian Landenberger1862–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  73. 73Themistokles von EckenbrecherThemistokles von Eckenbrecher1842–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  74. 74Friedrich KallmorgenFriedrich Kallmorgen1856–1924 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  75. 75Hermann HendrichHermann Hendrich1854–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  76. 76Theodor HorscheltTheodor Horschelt1829–1871 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  77. 77Arthur von RambergArthur von Ramberg1819–1875 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  78. 78Ernst HildebrandErnst Hildebrand1833–1924 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  79. 79Rudolf Otto von OttenfeldRudolf Otto von Ottenfeld1856–1913 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  80. 80Emilie PreyerEmilie Preyer1849–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  81. 81Johann Siegwald DahlJohann Siegwald Dahl1827–1902 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  82. 82Anna GerresheimAnna Gerresheim1852–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  83. 83Clara SiewertClara Siewert1862–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Wilhelm Lindenschmit the ElderWilhelm Lindenschmit the Elder1806–1848 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  85. 85Josef MaxJosef Max1804–1855 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  86. 86Curt HerrmannCurt Herrmann1854–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  87. 87Carl SeffnerCarl Seffner1861–1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  88. 88Fritz StoltenbergFritz Stoltenberg1855–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  89. 89Otto SeitzOtto Seitz1846–1912 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  90. 90Alexander von Ungern-SternbergAlexander von Ungern-Sternberg1806–1868 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  91. 91Lothar MeggendorferLothar Meggendorfer1847–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  92. 92Karl JanssenKarl Janssen1855–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  93. 93Otto ReinigerOtto Reiniger1863–1909 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  94. 94Gerhardt Wilhelm von ReuternGerhardt Wilhelm von Reutern1794–1865 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  95. 95Christian BehrensChristian Behrens1852–1905 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  96. 96Robert DiezRobert Diez1844–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  97. 97FLFerdinand Leeke1859–1937 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98Hedwig WeißHedwig Weiß1860–1923 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  99. 99Adelheid DietrichAdelheid Dietrich1827–1891 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  100. 100Louis HeldLouis Held1851–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot 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.