Claim profile
1200–1299

The 13th century

Whose working lives fell in the 13th 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 13th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇯🇵 Japan🇮🇹 Italy🇸🇪 Sweden🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇪🇸 Spain🇳🇴 Norway🇹🇷 Turkey🇵🇹 Portugal
FieldAllHistorical FiguresPoliticiansWritersReligious FiguresModelsAcademicsArtistsActorsMusiciansScientists
  1. 1Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers22 decades
  2. 2Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas1225–1274 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics22 decades
  3. 3Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians22 decades
  4. 4Louis IX of FranceLouis IX of France1214–1270 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures12 decades
  5. 5RumiRumi1207–1273 · Writers22 decades
  6. 6FibonacciFibonacci1170–1240 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics22 decades
  7. 7Frederick II, Holy Roman EmperorFrederick II, Holy Roman Emperor1194–1250 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures22 decades
  8. 8John, King of EnglandJohn, King of England1166–1216 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures3 decades
  9. 9Kublai KhanKublai Khan1215–129419 decades
  10. 10Edward I of EnglandEdward I of England1239–1307 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures10 decades
  11. 11Anthony of PaduaAnthony of Padua1195–1231 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Religious Figures22 decades
  12. 12Philip II of FrancePhilip II of France1165–1223 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  13. 13Pope Boniface VIIIPope Boniface VIII1235–1303 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures21 decades
  14. 14Osman IOsman I1258–1326 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  15. 15Albertus MagnusAlbertus Magnus1200–1280 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists22 decades
  16. 16Saint DominicSaint Dominic1170–1221 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures17 decades
  17. 17Meister EckhartMeister Eckhart1260–1328 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12 decades
  18. 18Henry III of EnglandHenry III of England1207–1272 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures5 decades
  19. 19Pope Celestine VPope Celestine V1215–1296 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  20. 20Pope Gregory IXPope Gregory IX1170–1241 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures22 decades
  21. 21Ibn ArabiIbn Arabi1165–1240 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics5 decades
  22. 22Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  23. 23Louis VIII of FranceLouis VIII of France1187–1226 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  24. 24BonaventureBonaventure1221–1274 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics11 decades
  25. 25Ibn TaymiyyahIbn Taymiyyah1263–1328 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers2 decades
  26. 26Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  27. 27NasreddinNasreddin1208–1284 · 🇹🇷 Turkey8 decades
  28. 28Alexander NevskyAlexander Nevsky1220–1263 · Models17 decades
  29. 29Clare of AssisiClare of Assisi1194–1253 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics22 decades
  30. 30Philip III of FrancePhilip III of France1245–1285 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  31. 31Roger BaconRoger Bacon1220–1292 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics22 decades
  32. 32Snorri SturlusonSnorri Sturluson1179–1241 · Writers13 decades
  33. 33Elizabeth of HungaryElizabeth of Hungary1207–1231 · Business Professionals20 decades
  34. 34Walther von der VogelweideWalther von der Vogelweide1170–1230 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians22 decades
  35. 35Rudolf I of GermanyRudolf I of Germany1218–1291 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  36. 36Ferdinand III of CastileFerdinand III of Castile1199–1252 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Models22 decades
  37. 37CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · Artists22 decades
  38. 38Batu KhanBatu Khan1205–12552 decades
  39. 39Hulagu KhanHulagu Khan1217–12650 decades
  40. 40Saadi ShiraziSaadi Shirazi1210–1292 · Writers0 decades
  41. 41Ögedei KhanÖgedei Khan1186–12410 decades
  42. 42Pope Gregory XPope Gregory X1210–1276 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  43. 43Pope Innocent IVPope Innocent IVdied 1254 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures22 decades
  44. 44Charles I of AnjouCharles I of Anjou1226–1285 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  45. 45Wolfram von EschenbachWolfram von Eschenbach1170–1220 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures18 decades
  46. 46Ramon LlullRamon Llull1232–1316 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers3 decades
  47. 47Otto IV, Holy Roman EmperorOtto IV, Holy Roman Emperor1175–1218 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  48. 48Blanche of CastileBlanche of Castile1188–1252 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  49. 49Alfonso X of CastileAlfonso X of Castile1221–1284 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1 decades
  50. 50Peter III of AragonPeter III of Aragon1240–1285 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures21 decades
  51. 51Albert I of GermanyAlbert I of Germany1255–1308 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Historical Figures0 decades
  52. 52Pope Nicholas IVPope Nicholas IV1227–1292 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians20 decades
  53. 53DuccioDuccio1255–1319 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists18 decades
  54. 54ErtuğrulErtuğruldied 1281 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Ottokar II of BohemiaOttokar II of Bohemia1233–1278 · Historical Figures0 decades
  56. 56Pope Adrian VPope Adrian V1205–1276 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  57. 57BaibarsBaibars1223–1277 · Modelsnot measured—
  58. 58Pope John XXIPope John XXI1215–1277 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Religious Figures0 decades
  59. 59Pope Innocent VPope Innocent V1220–1276 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  60. 60Pope Clement IVPope Clement IV1190–1268 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  61. 61James I of AragonJames I of Aragon1208–1276 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  62. 62Guido CavalcantiGuido Cavalcanti1258–1300 · Writers22 decades
  63. 63Möngke KhanMöngke Khan1209–12590 decades
  64. 64Pope Urban IVPope Urban IV1185–1264 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  65. 65Michael VIII PalaiologosMichael VIII Palaiologos1224–1282 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  66. 66Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of LeicesterSimon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester1208–1265 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  67. 67Eleanor of ProvenceEleanor of Provence1223–1291 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades
  68. 68Philip of SwabiaPhilip of Swabia1177–1208 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures22 decades
  69. 69Tamar of GeorgiaTamar of Georgia1166–1213 · Politicians0 decades
  70. 70JochiJochi1182–1225 · Historical Figures5 decades
  71. 71ConradinConradin1252–1268 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians22 decades
  72. 72Pope Celestine IVPope Celestine IVdied 1241 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  73. 73Margaret of ProvenceMargaret of Provence1221–12950 decades
  74. 74Yunus EmreYunus Emre1241–1321 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers3 decades
  75. 75ToluiTolui1191–1232 · Historical Figures2 decades
  76. 76Pope Benedict XIPope Benedict XI1240–1304 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  77. 77Conrad IV of GermanyConrad IV of Germany1228–1254 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  78. 78Isabella of AngoulêmeIsabella of Angoulême1188–1246 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  79. 79Shams TabriziShams Tabrizi1185–1248 · Writers0 decades
  80. 80NichirenNichiren1222–1282 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers15 decades
  81. 81Sancho IV of León and CastileSancho IV of León and Castile1258–1295 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  82. 82Adolf of GermanyAdolf of Germany1255–129822 decades
  83. 83Pope Nicholas IIIPope Nicholas III1215–1280 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures3 decades
  84. 84William of RubruckWilliam of Rubruck1220–1293 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5 decades
  85. 85Beatrice PortinariBeatrice Portinari1266–1290 · Historical Figures22 decades
  86. 86Pope Alexander IVPope Alexander IV1200–1261 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures13 decades
  87. 87Jacopone da TodiJacopone da Todi1236–1306 · Writers22 decades
  88. 88Berengaria of NavarreBerengaria of Navarre1165–1230 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1 decades
  89. 89SubutaiSubutai1175–1248 · Historical Figures2 decades
  90. 90DōgenDōgen1200–1253 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Academics2 decades
  91. 91Berengaria of CastileBerengaria of Castile1180–1246 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Modelsnot measured—
  92. 92Richard of CornwallRichard of Cornwall1209–1272 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom18 decades
  93. 93NahmanidesNahmanides1194–1270 · Academicsnot measured—
  94. 94Isabella of Aragon, Queen of FranceIsabella of Aragon, Queen of France1248–127122 decades
  95. 95Pope Martin IVPope Martin IV1220–1285 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  96. 96Charles II of NaplesCharles II of Naples1254–1309 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0 decades
  97. 97Denis I of PortugalDenis I of Portugal1261–1325 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  98. 98SKSunjata Keïta1190–1255 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  99. 99Eleanor of CastileEleanor of Castile1241–1290 · Historical Figures18 decades
  100. 100Robert, Count of ClermontRobert, Count of Clermont1256–131722 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.