Who Was A Celebrity Before Hollywood?

When we think of celebrities of today, they're almost always either the product of Hollywood or Silicon Valley, but that doesn't mean fame didn't exist before all that. Back in the day of the Enlightenment, the biggest celebrities were thinkers, artists, explorers, and politicians, celebrated for their talents, innovative ideas, or bravery. Here are 20 of the biggest celebrities of the 18th century and what they did. 

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun on Wikimedia

1. Marie Antoinette

France's queen was likely the most famous woman in Europe in the 18th century, but not necessarily for the right reasons. She was a fashion icon and an infamous symbol of extravagance, largely hated by her people.

Jean-Baptiste André Gautier-Dagoty on Wikimedia

2. George Washington

George Washington became internationally famous as a revolutionary whose success in overthrowing the British and establishing a democracy set a precedent for other countries. He became the first US president in 1789, further solidifying his fame.

John Trumbull on Wikimedia

3. Voltaire

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer and philosopher. His most famous work, Candide, skyrocketed his popularity and informed revolutionary ideas with its sharp satire of the political structures of the time.

Nicolas de Largillière on Wikimedia

4. Catherine the Great

Anyone deemed "the Great" is sure to hold some level of celebrity, and Catherine is no exception. She was the empress of Russia and a key political figure in global politics. 

After Alexander Roslin on Wikimedia

5. Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was world-famous as a scientist, inventor, writer, and diplomat. As the ambassador to France, he became a symbol of the US and a sensation in high society in Europe. He also won the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for his work with electricity. 

After Joseph-Siffred Duplessis on Wikimedia

6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a French Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas shaped modern thought. His most famous work, The Social Contract, gained international recognition and sparked debates about individual freedom that influenced countless other philosophers. 

Maurice Quentin de La Tour on Wikimedia

7. Joshua Reynolds

Joshua Reynolds was a famous portrait artist who painted the world's elite. Considered one of the finest painters in history, he also established the celebrated Royal Academy of Arts and acted as its first president.

Rauantiques on Wikimedia

8. Goethe

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, known mononymously as Goethe, was a prominent German Enlightenment thinker and polymath. His writings significantly shaped Western thoughtand he was one of the most celebrated literary figures of the day.

Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein on Wikimedia

9. Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson was a world-famous literary figure known for creating the most important English dictionary of the day, only to be replaced by the Oxford Dictionary 150 years later. He was also a leading literary critic, essayist, and intellectual who enjoyed celebrity life in London's most exclusive circles.

Smibert on Wikimedia

10. Jonathon Swift

Jonathon Swift was an internationally-renowned author who gained attention for his satirical genius. His seminal work, Gulliver's Travels, earned him widespread acclaim and attention.

Charles Jervas on Wikimedia

11. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a musical prodigy from an early age. He went on to become one of the most prolific composers of the day, writing in nearly every genre, his compositions gaining international popularity and appealing to a wide range of audiences. 

Not sure. on Wikimedia

12. Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope was considered one of the greatest English poets in his day. He was the most famous Enlightenment poet and one of the most quoted English writers, admired for his wit.

Michael Dahl on Wikimedia

13. Martha Washington

Martha Washington, the first First Lady of the US and the wife of George Washington, was a prominent public figure who gained international recognition, becoming a symbol of strength and dedication. She set the precedent for all future First Ladies.

Materialscientist on Wikimedia

14. George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel was a talented composer whose operas were a resounding success across all of Europe, making him a household name. He's still considered the most famous Baroque composers, and his compositions continue to be performed all over the world.

Attributed to Balthasar Denner on Wikimedia

15. Sarah Siddons

Sarah Siddons was a world-famous actress celebrated for her tragic performances, particularly her portrayal of Lady Macbeth. She was one of the first actors to reach true celebrity status.

Thomas Beach on Wikimedia

16. Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook was an explorer whose name often made headlines in the 18th century. His expeditions and cartography skills allowed him to map vast areas of land, including much of New Zealand and Australia, with expert precision.

Nathaniel Dance-Holland on Wikimedia

17. Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun

Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun was France's most famous female artist in her day. She was Marie Antoinette's court portraitist before fleeing France during the revolution and going on to gain international acclaim painting the world's elite. 

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun on Wikimedia

18. Casanova

Giacomo Casanova may be primarily remembered for his seductive talents, but he was also a celebrated musician and a talented spy. He was often the subject of the era's equivalent of tabloids.

Attributed to Francesco Narici on Wikimedia

19. Adam Smith

Adam Smith was one of the most prominent figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. He was the founding father of capitalism, and his ideas formed the foundation of modern economics.

Cadell and Davies on Wikimedia

20. Immanuel Kant

A key enlightenment figure, Immanuel Ka, was one of the most celebrated philosophers of his day. His writings covered a broad range of fields, appealing to a wide audience and having a global reach. 

Johann Christoph Frisch on Wikimedia