Famous 19th Century Historical Personalities

Vote for Your Favourite 19th Century Historical Personalities

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
Queen Victoria
(Queen of the United Kingdom (1837-1901))
Queen Victoria
76
Birthdate: May 24, 1819
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kensington Palace, London, United Kingdom
Died: January 22, 1901

The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for over six decades, Queen Victoria reigned for longer than any of her predecessors. Her rule witnessed the vast expansion of the British Empire and ushered in a period of industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military changes. Her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were celebrated with great pomp and show.

 2 
Napoleon Bonaparte
(Emperor of the French (1804-1814))
Napoleon Bonaparte
97
Birthdate: August 15, 1769
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ajaccio, France
Died: May 5, 1821
French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte ruled as the French emperor from 1804 to 1814 and again in 1815. He strengthened France’s position in Europe through the Napoleonic Wars and extended his kingdom. However, he was eventually defeated by the Seventh Coalition at the Battle of Waterloo and sent to exile. 
 3 
Rani Lakshmibai
(Queen of the Princely State of Jhansi & One of the Leading Figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857)
Rani Lakshmibai
38
Birthdate: November 19, 1828
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: June 18, 1858

Remembered for her heroics against the British, the Indian Joan of Arc Rani Lakshmibai remains an icon of the 1857 Indian Rebellion. The wife of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao, she is known for leading the fight against the British after her husband’s death. She also inspired the legendary lines Khoob Ladi Mardani.

Recommended Lists:
 4 
Wilhelm II
(German Emperor and King of Prussia (1888 - 1918))
Wilhelm II
43
Birthdate: January 27, 1859
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Died: June 4, 1941

Wilhelm II reigned as the King of Prussia and German emperor from 1888 to 1918. He is credited with promoting scientific innovation and building a blue-water navy, which strengthened Germany’s position as a great power. However, he was also responsible for getting his country involved in World War I, which eventually brought an end to the Hohenzollern dynasty’s rule.

Recommended Lists:
 5 
Alexander II of Russia
(Emperor of Russia (1855 - 1881))
Alexander II of Russia
20
Birthdate: April 29, 1818
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: March 13, 1881

Alexander II of Russia was the Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Finland, and King of Poland from 1855 to 1881. He became known as Alexander the Liberator for his most significant reform, which was the Emancipation Reform of 1861. He is also credited with reorganizing the judicial system, abolishing corporal punishment, and imposing universal military service in Russia.

 6 
Vladimir Lenin
(Russian Revolutionary & Politician Who Served as the First Head of Government of Soviet Russia)
Vladimir Lenin
29
Birthdate: April 22, 1870
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ulyanovsk, Russia
Died: January 21, 1924

Vladimir Lenin played a key role in the history of Russian politics by developing a political ideology called Leninism. During and after his lifetime, Lenin had a massive influence over international communist movement. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant personalities of the 20th century.

 7 
Nicholas II
(Emperor of Russia (1894 - 1917))
Nicholas II
26
Birthdate: May 18, 1868
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: July 17, 1918

Nicholas II reigned as the last Emperor of All Russia from 1894 until his abdication in 1917. His reign oversaw a series of reforms in Russia. These reforms included the introduction of literacy programs, civil liberties, and methods to modernize the empire's infrastructure. However, these reforms were eventually undermined by Nicholas' love for autocratic rule.

 8 
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
(Queen Consort of Great Britain and Ireland (1761 - 1818))
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
10
Birthdate: May 19, 1744
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mirow, Germany
Died: November 17, 1818
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III, reigned as the queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1761 to 1818, and her reign saw the two kingdoms unite into the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. An amateur art lover and botanist, she also expanded the Kew Gardens.
 9 
Empress Elisabeth of Austria
(Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary from 1854 to 1898)
Empress Elisabeth of Austria
5
Birthdate: December 24, 1837
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Munich, Germany
Died: September 10, 1898

Empress Elisabeth of Austria was Queen of Hungary and Empress of Austria from 1854 to 1898, making her the longest-reigning Austrian empress. Often visiting Hungary for its relaxed environment, Elisabeth developed a deep kinship with Hungary, which in turn helped her influence the rise of the dual monarchy of Austria–Hungary in 1867.

 10 
Franz Joseph I of Austria
(Emperor of Austria King of Hungary (1848 - 1916))
Franz Joseph I of Austria
13
Birthdate: August 18, 1830
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: November 21, 1916

Franz Joseph I of Austria reigned as the Emperor of Austria from 1848 until his death in 1916. He also served as the King of Hungary, Bohemia, and Croatia and monarch of other states of Austria-Hungary. During his reign, Austria-Hungary decided to wage war against the Kingdom of Serbia, which eventually resulted in the First World War.

 11 
Napoleon III
(President of France from 1848 to 1852 and Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870)
Napoleon III
15
Birthdate: April 20, 1808
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: January 9, 1873
Napoleon III, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, was the first president of France, from 1848 to 1852, and the French emperor from 1852 to 1870. He rebuilt Paris and other French cities, apart from reforming the French banks, railways, and marines. He lost the Franco-Prussian War and eventually died in exile.
 12 
Alexandra of Denmark
(Former Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and British Dominions (1901 - 1910))
Alexandra of Denmark
11
Birthdate: December 1, 1844
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: November 20, 1925
Alexandra of Denmark was the queen of the U.K. and the empress of India from 1901 to 1910, as the wife of King Edward VII. Her style of dressing inspired English fashion back then. She supported her son George V’s campaign against Germany, with the Allies, during World War I.
 13 
Liliʻuokalani
(Queen of the Hawaiian Islands (1891-93))
Liliʻuokalani
8
Birthdate: September 2, 1838
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Died: November 11, 1917
Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
 14 
George III of the United Kingdom
(King of Great Britain and of Ireland from 1760 to 1801)
George III of the United Kingdom
21
Birthdate: June 4, 1738
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
Died: January 29, 1820

The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for almost six decades, George III had a reign that was longer than those of any of his predecessors. His reign was marked by a series of military conflicts. He suffered from mental illness in his later years.

 15 
Victoria, Princess Royal
(German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1888))
Victoria, Princess Royal
8
Birthdate: November 21, 1840
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: London, England
Died: August 5, 1901

Victoria, Princess Royal was the Queen of Prussia and German Empress from 9 March 1888 to 15 June 1888. Victoria, Princess Royal had an opportunity to influence the German Empire's policy, but the death of her husband German Emperor Frederick III, just 99 days after his accession, ruined her opportunity. Victoria has been portrayed in several movies and TV series.

 16 
George V
(King of the United Kingdom (1910-36))
George V
53
Birthdate: June 3, 1865
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
Died: January 20, 1936

George V became the King of Great Britain and the British Dominions in 1910. During the World War I, he played an active role in supporting the troops. The rise of socialism, communism, fascism and the Indian independence movement was witnessed during his rule. His reign also saw the supremacy of the elected British House of Commons established by the Parliament.

 17 
Alexander III of Russia
(Emperor of Russia (1881 - 1894))
Alexander III of Russia
17
Birthdate: March 10, 1845
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: November 1, 1894
Alexander III ruled as the emperor of Russia, the king Poland, and the grand duke of Finland, from 1881 to 1894. He reversed many liberal policies that had been implemented by his father, Alexander II, earlier. He passed the “May Laws” and did not participate in any major war.
 18 
Empress Dowager Cixi
(Empress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty from 1861 to 1908)
Empress Dowager Cixi
15
Birthdate: November 29, 1835
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Beijing, China
Died: November 15, 1908

Empress Dowager Cixi was a Chinese regent and empress dowager. From 1861 to 1908, Cixi served as the de facto supreme ruler of the Qing dynasty. She is credited with overseeing a series of moderate reforms called the Tongzhi Restoration, which helped the regime survive for a long period of time. She also supported military and technological reforms.  

 19 
Alexander I of Russia
(Emperor of Russia from 1801 to 1825)
Alexander I of Russia
14
Birthdate: December 23, 1777
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: December 1, 1825

Alexander I was the emperor of Russia and the eldest son of Paul I. While he was initially a friend of Napoleon Bonaparte, he later joined hands with his opponents to defeat him. He was also part of the Congress of Vienna and later contributed to the formation of the Holy Alliance.

 20 
Emperor Meiji
(Emperor of Japan from 1867 to 1912)
Emperor Meiji
10
Birthdate: November 3, 1852
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Died: July 30, 1912

Emperor Meiji of Japan presided over the all-round revolutionary transformation of his empire which emerged as a strong force on the global scene during his reign. His policies and actions led to Japan’s rapid growth and ended its isolation from the rest of the world. One of the noted changes during rule was the abolition of special privileges of samurais.

 21 
Paul I of Russia
(Emperor of Russia (1796 - 1801))
Paul I of Russia
11
Birthdate: October 1, 1754
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: March 24, 1801
Paul I ruled as the Russian emperor from 1796 till his assassination in 1801. He was officially the son of Peter III and Catherine the Great, but it is believed he was sired by Catherine’s lover, Sergei Saltykov. Paul established the law of succession to the throne of Russia.
 22 
William IV of the United Kingdom
(King of the United Kingdom (1830 - 1837))
William IV of the United Kingdom
10
Birthdate: August 21, 1765
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: June 20, 1837
William IV, the third son of George III, was the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and that of Hanover, from 1830 to 1837. His stint in the Royal Navy earned him the nickname “Sailor King.” He introduced electoral reforms, abolished slavery, and restricted child labor.
 23 
Nicholas I of Russia
(Emperor of Russia (1825 - 1855))
Nicholas I of Russia
6
Birthdate: July 6, 1796
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Gattšina lossipark, Russia
Died: March 2, 1855

Nicholas I of Russia reigned as Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Finland, and King of Poland from 1825 to 1855. Nicholas I is remembered for his controversial reign, under which the Russian Empire achieved great geographical expansion. He also played a key role in creating an independent Greek state and was successful in ending the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829.

 24 
Kamehameha I
(King of Hawaii)
Kamehameha I
12
Birthdate: 1758 AD
Birthplace: Kohala, Hawaii
Died: May 8, 1819
 25 
Louis Philippe I
(The Last King and Penultimate Monarch of France)
Louis Philippe I
9
Birthdate: October 6, 1773
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Domaine National du Palais-Royal, Paris, France
Died: August 26, 1850

Louis-Philippe I of France reigned as the King of the French from 9 August 1830 to 24 February 1848. Although his rule was much loved at the beginning, his popularity suffered when the economic conditions in France declined in 1847. Subsequently, Louis Philippe I was forced to abdicate the throne when the French Revolution broke out in 1848.   

 26 
Abdul Hamid II
(Sultan of the Ottoman Empire)
Abdul Hamid II
11
Birthdate: September 21, 1842
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Istanbul Eyalet
Died: February 10, 1918
 27 
Maria Feodorovna
(Former Empress Consort of Russia)
Maria Feodorovna
6
Birthdate: November 26, 1847
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Yellow Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: October 13, 1928

Maria Feodorovna was a Danish princess who married Emperor Alexander III and became Empress of Russia. She was the second daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and Louise of Hesse-Kassel. She grew up to be a beautiful and charming woman. She was married to Alexander Alexandrovich, the son of Emperor Alexander II and his first wife Maria Alexandrovna. 

 28 
George IV of the United Kingdom
(King of the United Kingdom and Hanover (1820 - 1830))
George IV of the United Kingdom
11
Birthdate: August 12, 1762
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: June 26, 1830

Regarded as the first gentleman of England, King George IV of the United Kingdom saw his empire consolidating its position as the global hegemon, particularly after the Napoleonic Wars. His regency during the illness of his father and then his 10-year reign were marked by royal extravagance. 

 29 
Edward VIII
(King of the UK, Emperor of India (20 Jan 1936 - 11 Dec 1936))
Edward VIII
20
Birthdate: June 23, 1894
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Richmond Park, Surrey, England
Died: May 28, 1972

Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire for several months in 1936. He was also Emperor of India during this period. He served in the British Army during the First World War and became the king following his father’s death. However, he abdicated the throne only months into his reign.

 30 
Emperor Taishō
(Emperor of Japan from 1912 to 1926)
Emperor Taishō
8
Birthdate: August 31, 1879
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japann
Died: December 25, 1926

Emperor Taishō was the 123rd Emperor of Japan. He was the son of  Emperor Meiji and Yanagihara Naruko, a concubine. As the eldest living son of the emperor, he was formally named the crown prince in 1888. Upon the death of his father in 1912, he ascended the throne. A sickly man with disabilities, he died at 47.

 31 
Rezā Shāh
(Shah of Iran from 1925 to 1941)
Rezā Shāh
8
Birthdate: March 15, 1878
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Alasht, Iran
Died: July 26, 1944

Rezā Shāh was a military colonel who founded the Pahlavi dynasty and reigned as the Shah of Iran from December 1925 to September 1941. He was also the prime minister of Iran from October 1923 to November 1925. His tenure saw the introduction of many social, economic, and political reforms, and he is regarded as the founder of modern Iran. 

 32 
Frederick III, German Emperor
(Former German Emperor and King of Prussia (1888))
Frederick III, German Emperor
6
Birthdate: October 18, 1831
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Potsdam, Germany
Died: June 15, 1888

Frederick III, German Emperor reigned as the king of Prussia and emperor of the German Empire from 9 March 1888 until his death on 15 June 1888. Although he played key roles during the Austro-Prussian, Second Schleswig, and Franco-Prussian wars, Frederick professed hatred for warfare and was willing to make the German Empire more liberal before his untimely death.

 33 
Charles I of Austria
(Emperor of Austria from 1916 to 1918)
Charles I of Austria
9
Birthdate: August 17, 1887
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Austria
Died: April 1, 1922

Charles I of Austria reigned from 1916 to 1918 as the last emperor of Austria. He was the last king of Croatia, Bohemia, Hungary, and the last monarch from the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. Charles is remembered for making unsuccessful attempts to end Austria-Hungary's World War I campaign. He also tried to save the Austro-Hungarian Empire from disintegration but was unsuccessful.

 34 
George VI
(King of the United Kingdom (1936-52))
George VI
35
Birthdate: December 14, 1895
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sandringham, Norfolk, England
Died: February 6, 1952
The last Emperor of India and the first Head of the Commonwealth, King George VI was the King of the United Kingdom for fifteen years. He served in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force before reluctantly inheriting the throne and becoming a symbol of courage during WWII. His determination also helped him in his struggle with stammering.
 35 
George I of Greece
(Former King of Greece (1863 - 1916))
George I of Greece
12
Birthdate: December 24, 1845
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: March 18, 1913

George I of Greece reigned as the king of Greece from 1863 until his murder in 1913. During his reign of nearly 50 years, which is the longest in the history of modern Greece, George helped expand Greece's territory significantly. During his reign, Greece also became increasingly prosperous and attained a popular place on the European stage.

 36 
Maximilian I of Mexico
(Emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1867)
Maximilian I of Mexico
10
Birthdate: July 6, 1832
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: June 19, 1867
Austrian archduke Maximilian I ruled as the only emperor of the Second Mexican Empire, from 1864 to 1867. He had also been the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Austrian Navy. However, after the French withdrew their support, he was executed by Mexico’s Republican forces, led by Benito Juárez.
 37 
Wilhelm I
(King)
Wilhelm I
5
Birthdate: March 22, 1797
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Died: March 9, 1888
 38 
Edward VII
(King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, Emperor of India (1901 - 1910))
Edward VII
21
Birthdate: November 9, 1841
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 6, 1910

Edward VII, the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death, is said to have played a role in the reorganisation of the British Army after the Second Boer War. His main interests lay in the fields of foreign affairs and naval and military matters.

 39 
Leopold I of Belgium
(First King of the Belgians (1831 - 1865))
Leopold I of Belgium
6
Birthdate: December 16, 1790
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Coburg, Germany
Died: December 10, 1865
Leopold I, the youngest son of Duke Francis of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, was the first king of Belgium and reigned from 1831 to 1865. He fought against Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars. He rejected the throne of Greece. His reign is known for establishing Belgium's first railway and for its modernization.
 40 
Leopold II of Belgium
(Former King of the Belgians (1865 - 1909))
Leopold II of Belgium
13
Birthdate: April 9, 1835
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Died: December 17, 1909

Leopold II of Belgium reigned over Belgium as its second king from 1865 to 1909. He also owned the Independent State of the Congo from 1885 to 1908. Congolese people were subjected to torture and murder under Leopold's administration; the term crimes against humanity was coined by George Washington Williams in 1890 to describe the atrocities of Leopold's administration.

 41 
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
(Holy Roman Emperor from 1792 to 1806)
Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor
8
Birthdate: February 12, 1768
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Florence, Italy
Died: March 2, 1835
Francis II reigned as the last Holy Roman Emperor, from 1792 to 1806, and as the Emperor of Austria (as Francis I), from 1804 to 1835. Francis II fought against Napoleonic France in the Napoleonic Wars and lost at Austerlitz. Eventually, his daughter Marie Louise was married off to Napoleon.
 42 
Napoleon II
(Emperor of the French for a Few Weeks in 1815)
Napoleon II
8
Birthdate: March 20, 1811
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tuileries Palace, Paris
Died: July 22, 1832

Napoleon II was the son of Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Marie Louise. He was the titular Emperor of the French for a few weeks in 1815. He was just a small child when he became the disputed emperor following his father’s abdication. He died as a young man before getting the chance to serve his nation. 

 43 
Constantine I
(Former King of Greece (1913 - 1917))
Constantine I
6
Birthdate: August 2, 1868
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Athens, Greece
Died: January 11, 1923
Constantine I reigned as the king of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and again from 1920 to 1922. He led the Greek army during the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913. The National Schism was a result of his disagreement with Eleftherios Venizelos on whether Greece should join World War I.
 44 
Pedro II of Brazil
(Former Emperor of Brazil (1831 - 1889))
Pedro II of Brazil
5
Birthdate: December 2, 1825
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died: December 5, 1891

Pedro II, son of the first Brazilian emperor, Dom Pedro I, is also remembered by his countrymen as the Magnanimous. He made Brazil prosper while other South American nations were torn apart by strife and clashes. Following his deposition, by a coup to overthrow the monarchy, he sailed to Europe.

 45 
Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
(Former King of Italy (1900 – 1946))
Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
8
Birthdate: November 11, 1869
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Naples, Italy
Died: December 28, 1947
Victor Emmanuel III ruled as the king of Italy from 1900 till 1946. He was also the emperor of Ethiopia and the king of the Albanians. He made Benito Mussolini the Italian prime minister after the March on Rome, but deposed him during the World War II Allied invasion.
 46 
Louis XVIII of France
(King of France from 1814 to 1824)
Louis XVIII of France
4
Birthdate: November 17, 1755
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Versailles, France
Died: September 16, 1824

Louis XVIII of France was the king of France from 1814 to 1824, except for the duration of the “Hundred Days” in 1815.  He was the son of Louis, Dauphin of France, and his wife Maria Josepha of Saxony. He ruled for slightly less than a decade. He was not popular as a king.

 47 
Ludwig II of Bavaria
(King of Bavaria (1864 - 1886))
Ludwig II of Bavaria
8
Birthdate: August 25, 1845
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Nymphenburg Palace, Munich, Germany
Died: June 13, 1886

Ludwig II of Bavaria reigned as the King of Bavaria from 10 March 1864 until his death on 13 June 1886. He is best remembered for overseeing the construction of lavish palaces like Linderhof Palace, Neuschwanstein Castle, and Herrenchiemsee. This extravagance brought about his downfall as he was declared insane, which remains a subject of discussion.

 48 
Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover
(King of Hanover)
Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover
5
Birthdate: June 5, 1771
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
Died: November 18, 1851
 49 
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
(Queen of the Netherlands (1890 - 1948))
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
7
Birthdate: August 31, 1880
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: The Hague, Netherlands
Died: November 28, 1962

Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, the only child of the King William III and his second wife, Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, became queen at age 10. While she remained neutral during World War I, she went into exile to England during World War II. Her autobiography revealed her religious devotion.

 50 
Christian X
(Former King of Denmark (1912 - 1947))
Christian X
5
Birthdate: September 26, 1870
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Charlottenlund, Denmark
Died: April 20, 1947
Christian X was the first Danish royal to complete high school, although he took up military education after this, following the royal tradition. He showed his resistance to Germans when he went on horse rides regularly during the German occupation. He later became an invalid after falling from his horse.