Claim profile
1000–1099

The 11th century

Whose working lives fell in the 11th century. Books are measured from 1800 and readers from 2015, so for this period we can say who lived then, not who was talked about then.

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 11th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇯🇵 Japan🇳🇴 Norway🇸🇪 Sweden🇮🇹 Italy🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇨🇳 China🇪🇸 Spain🇮🇳 India
FieldAllHistorical FiguresWritersPoliticiansReligious FiguresModelsAcademicsActorsArtistsScientistsDoctors
  1. 1AvicennaAvicenna980–1037 · Doctors22 decades
  2. 2William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror1028–1087 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  3. 3El CidEl Ciddied 1099 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures20 decades
  4. 4Leif EriksonLeif Erikson972–1020 · Historical Figures11 decades
  5. 5Harold GodwinsonHarold Godwinson1022–1066 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  6. 6Al-GhazaliAl-Ghazali1058–1111 · Academics6 decades
  7. 7Cnut the GreatCnut the Great994–1035 · Historical Figures0 decades
  8. 8Omar KhayyamOmar Khayyam1048–1131 · Academics15 decades
  9. 9Pope Urban IIPope Urban II1035–1099 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  10. 10Pope Benedict IXPope Benedict IXdied 1055 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  11. 11Godfrey of BouillonGodfrey of Bouillon1060–1100 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  12. 12Ibn al-HaythamIbn al-Haytham965–1039 · Scientists5 decades
  13. 13Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  14. 14Edward the ConfessorEdward the Confessordied 1066 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures22 decades
  15. 15Pope Gregory VIIPope Gregory VII1020–1085 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures22 decades
  16. 16William II of EnglandWilliam II of England1060–1100 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  17. 17Pope Leo IXPope Leo IX1002–1054 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures13 decades
  18. 18Anselm of CanterburyAnselm of Canterbury1033–1109 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures17 decades
  19. 19Henry I of FranceHenry I of France1008–1060 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  20. 20Philip I of FrancePhilip I of France1052–1108 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  21. 21Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  22. 22Al-BiruniAl-Biruni973–1048 · Academics8 decades
  23. 23Harald HardradaHarald Hardrada1015–1066 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures5 decades
  24. 24Robert II of FranceRobert II of France972–1031 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  25. 25Æthelred the UnreadyÆthelred the Unready967–1016 · Historical Figures0 decades
  26. 26Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 🇨🇳 China · Writers7 decades
  27. 27Otto III, Holy Roman EmperorOtto III, Holy Roman Emperor980–1002 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures16 decades
  28. 28Anne of KievAnne of Kiev1025–1070 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  29. 29Lady GodivaLady Godiva990–1067 · Activists22 decades
  30. 30Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists7 decades
  31. 31Stephen I of HungaryStephen I of Hungary975–1038 · Historical Figures0 decades
  32. 32Alexios I KomnenosAlexios I Komnenos1048–1118 · Historical Figures0 decades
  33. 33Edmund IronsideEdmund Ironside988–1016 · Historical Figures22 decades
  34. 34Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  35. 35Pope Damasus IIPope Damasus II1000–1048 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures10 decades
  36. 36Emma of NormandyEmma of Normandy987–1052 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  37. 37Pope Clement IIPope Clement II1005–1047 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures0 decades
  38. 38Conrad II, Holy Roman EmperorConrad II, Holy Roman Emperor990–1039 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  39. 39Yaroslav the WiseYaroslav the Wise978–1054 · Politicians0 decades
  40. 40Matilda of FlandersMatilda of Flanders1031–1083 · Historical Figures6 decades
  41. 41HarthacnutHarthacnut1018–1042 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  42. 42Harold HarefootHarold Harefoot1016–1040 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures10 decades
  43. 43Alp ArslanAlp Arslan1029–107221 decades
  44. 44Guido of ArezzoGuido of Arezzo992–1050 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists0 decades
  45. 45Robert GuiscardRobert Guiscard1016–1085 · 🇫🇷 France22 decades
  46. 46Robert CurthoseRobert Curthose1054–1134 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  47. 47Olaf II of NorwayOlaf II of Norway995–1030 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures0 decades
  48. 48Murasaki ShikibuMurasaki Shikibu970–1100 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers6 decades
  49. 49RashiRashi1040–1105 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics13 decades
  50. 50Ferdinand I of León and CastileFerdinand I of León and Castile1016–1065 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1 decades
  51. 51Bolesław I the BraveBolesław I the Brave967–1025 · Politicians0 decades
  52. 52Baldwin I of JerusalemBaldwin I of Jerusalem1058–1118 · Politicians0 decades
  53. 53Pope Paschal IIPope Paschal II1050–1118 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures7 decades
  54. 54Robert I, Duke of NormandyRobert I, Duke of Normandy1004–1035 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  55. 55Pope Victor IIPope Victor IIdied 1057 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures18 decades
  56. 56Macbeth, King of ScotlandMacbeth, King of Scotland1005–1057not measured—
  57. 57Hassan-i SabbahHassan-i Sabbah1037–1124 · Politicians0 decades
  58. 58Bohemond I of AntiochBohemond I of Antioch1054–1111 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7 decades
  59. 59Pope Nicholas IIPope Nicholas II990–1061 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2 decades
  60. 60Roger I of SicilyRoger I of Sicily1031–1101 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  61. 61Matilda of TuscanyMatilda of Tuscany1040–1115 · Historical Figures0 decades
  62. 62Pope Alexander IIPope Alexander II1010–1073 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures7 decades
  63. 63Zoë PorphyrogenitaZoë Porphyrogenita978–1050 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  64. 64Al-Hakim bi-Amr AllahAl-Hakim bi-Amr Allah985–1021 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Baldwin II of JerusalemBaldwin II of Jerusalem1060–1131 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  66. 66Pope Stephen IXPope Stephen IX1000–1058 · Religious Figures0 decades
  67. 67Vladimir II MonomakhVladimir II Monomakh1053–1125 · Writers0 decades
  68. 68Sancho III of NavarreSancho III of Navarre985–1035 · Models0 decades
  69. 69Ibn HazmIbn Hazm994–1064 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers10 decades
  70. 70Romanos IV DiogenesRomanos IV Diogenes1030–1072 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0 decades
  71. 71Magnus the GoodMagnus the Good1024–1047 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures3 decades
  72. 72RamanujaRamanuja1017–1137 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics16 decades
  73. 73Youssef ibn TashfinYoussef ibn Tashfin1009–1106 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  74. 74Solomon ibn GabirolSolomon ibn Gabirol1021–1058 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers8 decades
  75. 75Alfonso VI of León and CastileAlfonso VI of León and Castile1040–1109 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Modelsnot measured—
  76. 76al-Ma'arrial-Ma'arri973–1057 · Writers0 decades
  77. 77Peter the HermitPeter the Hermit1050–1115 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  78. 78Constantine IX MonomachosConstantine IX Monomachos1000–1055 · Politicians0 decades
  79. 79Pope Victor IIIPope Victor III1027–1087 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  80. 80MilarepaMilarepa1040–1135 · Writers7 decades
  81. 81Raymond IV, Count of ToulouseRaymond IV, Count of Toulouse1041–1105 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  82. 82Cunigunde of LuxembourgCunigunde of Luxembourg978–1039 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  83. 83Mahmud of GhazniMahmud of Ghazni971–103015 decades
  84. 84Peter DamianPeter Damian1007–1072 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures22 decades
  85. 85Bruno of CologneBruno of Cologne1030–1101 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures0 decades
  86. 86Sei ShōnagonSei Shōnagon966–1025 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  87. 87Pope Benedict VIIIPope Benedict VIII980–1024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  88. 88GEGodwin, Earl of Wessexdied 1053 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Thorfinn KarlsefniThorfinn Karlsefni980–1020 · Historical Figures0 decades
  90. 90Richard IIIRichard III1001–102722 decades
  91. 91Saint Margaret of ScotlandSaint Margaret of Scotland1045–10930 decades
  92. 92Malcolm III of ScotlandMalcolm III of Scotland1031–1093 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0 decades
  93. 93Alfonso V of LeónAlfonso V of León994–1028 · Historical Figures10 decades
  94. 94Pope Gelasius IIPope Gelasius II1060–1119 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  95. 95Thietmar of MerseburgThietmar of Merseburg975–1019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  96. 96Robert I of BurgundyRobert I of Burgundy1011–1076 · Historical Figures0 decades
  97. 97Harald II of DenmarkHarald II of Denmark994–1018 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  98. 98Pope Gregory VIPope Gregory VI1000–1048 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  99. 99Yūsuf BalasaguniYūsuf Balasaguni1019–1077 · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Pope John XIXPope John XIX975–1032 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 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.