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. 99WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists1.4
  100. 100William 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. 1Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  2. 2Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians21 decades
  3. 3Otto von BismarckOtto von Bismarck1815–1898 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians16 decades
  4. 4Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  5. 5Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  6. 6James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield1831–1881 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  7. 7Giuseppe GaribaldiGiuseppe Garibaldi1807–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  8. 8Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg1847–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians10 decades
  9. 9William McKinleyWilliam McKinley1843–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  10. 10Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  11. 11Archduke Franz Ferdinand of AustriaArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria1863–1914 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured—
  12. 12Philippe PétainPhilippe Pétain1856–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  13. 13Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant1822–1885 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  14. 14James BuchananJames Buchanan1791–1868 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  15. 15José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians21 decades
  16. 16Georges ClemenceauGeorges Clemenceau1841–1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  17. 17Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  18. 18Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland1837–1908 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  19. 19Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  20. 20Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians16 decades
  21. 21Joseph SmithJoseph Smith1805–1844 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  22. 22Clara ZetkinClara Zetkin1857–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  23. 23Camillo Benso, Count of CavourCamillo Benso, Count of Cavour1810–1861 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians10 decades
  24. 24Jean JaurèsJean Jaurès1859–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  25. 25Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur1829–1886 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  26. 26Klemens von MetternichKlemens von Metternich1773–1859 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  27. 27Adolphe ThiersAdolphe Thiers1797–1877 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  28. 28Pierre-Joseph ProudhonPierre-Joseph Proudhon1809–1865 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  29. 29Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians19 decades
  30. 30John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams1767–1848 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  31. 31P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum1810–1891 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians17 decades
  32. 32Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson1808–1875 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  33. 33Pyotr StolypinPyotr Stolypin1862–1911 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  34. 34Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of WellingtonArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington1769–1852 · Politiciansnot measured—
  35. 35Joachim MuratJoachim Murat1767–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  36. 36Maximilian I of MexicoMaximilian I of Mexico1832–1867 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians19 decades
  37. 37William Howard TaftWilliam Howard Taft1857–1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians12 decades
  38. 38Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren1782–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians21 decades
  39. 39William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison1773–1841 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  40. 40Fridtjof NansenFridtjof Nansen1861–1930 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Politicians13 decades
  41. 41Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce1804–1869 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  42. 42Benjamin DisraeliBenjamin Disraeli1804–1881 · Politicians18 decades
  43. 43Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  44. 44Patrice de MacMahonPatrice de MacMahon1808–1893 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  45. 45Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  46. 46Cecil RhodesCecil Rhodes1853–1902 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians12 decades
  47. 47Antonio López de Santa AnnaAntonio López de Santa Anna1794–1876 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians18 decades
  48. 48Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · Politicians21 decades
  49. 49Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  50. 50James K. PolkJames K. Polk1795–1849 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians20 decades
  51. 51Zachary TaylorZachary Taylor1784–1850 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians18 decades
  52. 52Alexander GriboyedovAlexander Griboyedov1795–1829 · Politicians13 decades
  53. 53John TylerJohn Tyler1790–1862 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians22 decades
  54. 54Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes1822–1893 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians16 decades
  55. 55Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  56. 56David Lloyd GeorgeDavid Lloyd George1863–1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  57. 57Ferdinand I of AustriaFerdinand I of Austria1793–1875 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Frederick William IV of PrussiaFrederick William IV of Prussia1795–1861 · Politicians21 decades
  59. 59Emir AbdelkaderEmir Abdelkader1808–1883 · Politicians0 decades
  60. 60Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison1833–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  61. 61Joseph BonaparteJoseph Bonaparte1768–1844 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  62. 62Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians21 decades
  63. 63Emmeline PankhurstEmmeline Pankhurst1858–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians7 decades
  64. 64Millard FillmoreMillard Fillmore1800–1874 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  65. 65Agustín I of MexicoAgustín I of Mexico1783–1824 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0 decades
  66. 66Muhammad Ali of EgyptMuhammad Ali of Egypt1769–1849 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  67. 67August BebelAugust Bebel1840–1913 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  68. 68Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  69. 69Georges-Eugène HaussmannGeorges-Eugène Haussmann1809–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  70. 70Sadi CarnotSadi Carnot1837–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians16 decades
  71. 71Félix FaureFélix Faure1841–1899 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  72. 72Sergei WitteSergei Witte1849–1915 · Politicians9 decades
  73. 73Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians22 decades
  74. 74Tomáš Garrigue MasarykTomáš Garrigue Masaryk1850–1937 · Politicians1 decades
  75. 75Michel NeyMichel Ney1769–1815 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  76. 76Paul DoumerPaul Doumer1857–1932 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  77. 77Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians21 decades
  78. 78Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians18 decades
  79. 79Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians21 decades
  80. 80Rudolf, Crown Prince of AustriaRudolf, Crown Prince of Austria1858–1889 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  81. 81Arthur BalfourArthur Balfour1848–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians15 decades
  82. 82William Ewart GladstoneWilliam Ewart Gladstone1809–1898 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians18 decades
  83. 83Joseph PulitzerJoseph Pulitzer1847–1911 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  84. 84Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians12 decades
  85. 85Léon GambettaLéon Gambetta1838–1882 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  86. 86Alexandre MillerandAlexandre Millerand1859–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  87. 87Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians20 decades
  88. 88Crazy HorseCrazy Horse1849–1877 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians15 decades
  89. 89Theobald von Bethmann-HollwegTheobald von Bethmann-Hollweg1856–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  90. 90H. H. AsquithH. H. Asquith1852–1928 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  91. 91Giovanni GiolittiGiovanni Giolitti1842–1928 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians14 decades
  92. 92Paul DeschanelPaul Deschanel1855–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians14 decades
  93. 93Ferdinand de LessepsFerdinand de Lesseps1805–1894 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians18 decades
  94. 94Gaston DoumergueGaston Doumergue1863–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  95. 95Jules GrévyJules Grévy1807–1891 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians15 decades
  96. 96Georgy LvovGeorgy Lvov1861–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  97. 97Armand FallièresArmand Fallières1841–1931 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  98. 98Davy CrockettDavy Crockett1786–1836 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians19 decades
  99. 99Karl KautskyKarl Kautsky1854–1938 · Politicians13 decades
  100. 100Guadalupe VictoriaGuadalupe Victoria1786–1845 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians21 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.