Claim profile
1400–1499

The 15th century

Whose working lives fell in the 15th 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 15th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 Italy🇹🇷 Turkey🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇪🇸 Spain🇯🇵 Japan🇸🇪 Sweden🇨🇭 Switzerland🇵🇹 Portugal
FieldAllHistorical FiguresPoliticiansWritersArtistsReligious FiguresAcademicsModelsMusiciansArchitectsScientists
  1. 1Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures21 decades
  2. 2Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  3. 3Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 🇫🇷 France22 decades
  4. 4Johannes GutenbergJohannes Gutenberg1400–1468 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists17 decades
  5. 5Isabella I of CastileIsabella I of Castile1451–1504 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Models19 decades
  6. 6Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures22 decades
  7. 7Richard III of EnglandRichard III of England1452–1485 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  8. 8Vlad the ImpalerVlad the Impaler1431–1476 · Models3 decades
  9. 9Ferdinand II of AragonFerdinand II of Aragon1452–1516 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Models14 decades
  10. 10Amerigo VespucciAmerigo Vespucci1454–1512 · Historical Figures22 decades
  11. 11Mehmed the ConquerorMehmed the Conqueror1432–1481 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures2 decades
  12. 12Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures8 decades
  13. 13Hieronymus BoschHieronymus Bosch1450–1516 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists9 decades
  14. 14Henry V of EnglandHenry V of England1386–1422 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1 decades
  15. 15Louis XI of FranceLouis XI of France1423–1483 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  16. 16Jan HusJan Hus1370–1415 · Academics9 decades
  17. 17Sandro BotticelliSandro Botticelli1445–1510 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  18. 18Henry VII of EnglandHenry VII of England1457–1509 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures7 decades
  19. 19Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · Politicians22 decades
  20. 20Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  21. 21Girolamo SavonarolaGirolamo Savonarola1452–1498 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians22 decades
  22. 22DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · Artists22 decades
  23. 23Maximilian I, Holy Roman EmperorMaximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor1459–1519 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Models22 decades
  24. 24François VillonFrançois Villon1431–1463 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20 decades
  25. 25Charles VII of FranceCharles VII of France1403–1461 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  26. 26Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures22 decades
  27. 27Charles VI of FranceCharles VI of France1368–1422 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures4 decades
  28. 28SkanderbegSkanderbeg1405–1468 · Historical Figures7 decades
  29. 29Ivan III of RussiaIvan III of Russia1440–1505 · Politicians8 decades
  30. 30Charles VIII of FranceCharles VIII of France1470–1498 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  31. 31Henry VI of EnglandHenry VI of England1421–1471 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  32. 32Jan van EyckJan van Eyck1390–1441 · Artists16 decades
  33. 33Pope Pius IIPope Pius II1405–1464 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures21 decades
  34. 34Sigismund, Holy Roman EmperorSigismund, Holy Roman Emperor1368–1437 · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  35. 35Richard II of EnglandRichard II of England1367–1400 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  36. 36Edward IV of EnglandEdward IV of England1442–1483 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  37. 37Fra AngelicoFra Angelico1390–1455 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists21 decades
  38. 38Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects22 decades
  39. 39Henry IV of EnglandHenry IV of England1367–1413 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  40. 40Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  41. 41MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  42. 42Nicholas of CusaNicholas of Cusa1401–1464 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics13 decades
  43. 43Frederick III, Holy Roman EmperorFrederick III, Holy Roman Emperor1415–1493 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Models22 decades
  44. 44Piero della FrancescaPiero della Francesca1415–1492 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  45. 45Giovanni Pico della MirandolaGiovanni Pico della Mirandola1463–1494 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics22 decades
  46. 46Pope Adrian VIPope Adrian VI1459–1523 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Religious Figures22 decades
  47. 47Matthias CorvinusMatthias Corvinus1443–1490 · Historical Figures22 decades
  48. 48Mary of BurgundyMary of Burgundy1457–1482 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians22 decades
  49. 49Juan Ponce de LeónJuan Ponce de León1460–1521 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures20 decades
  50. 50Filippo BrunelleschiFilippo Brunelleschi1377–1446 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects22 decades
  51. 51Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · Politicians22 decades
  52. 52Murad IIMurad II1404–1451 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures11 decades
  53. 53Pope Sixtus IVPope Sixtus IV1414–1484 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures22 decades
  54. 54Prince Henry the NavigatorPrince Henry the Navigator1394–1460 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Historical Figures15 decades
  55. 55Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects22 decades
  56. 56Antonello da MessinaAntonello da Messina1430–1479 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  57. 57Andrea MantegnaAndrea Mantegna1431–1506 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  58. 58Tomás de TorquemadaTomás de Torquemada1420–1498 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  59. 59Constantine XI PalaiologosConstantine XI Palaiologos1404–14530 decades
  60. 60Philip the GoodPhilip the Good1396–1467 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades
  61. 61Henry IV of CastileHenry IV of Castile1425–1474 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  62. 62Pope Innocent VIIIPope Innocent VIII1432–1492 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures20 decades
  63. 63Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini1430–1516 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  64. 64John HunyadiJohn Hunyadi1407–1456 · Politicians19 decades
  65. 65Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  66. 66Alfonso V of AragonAlfonso V of Aragon1396–1458 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures21 decades
  67. 67Pope Pius IIIPope Pius III1439–1503 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  68. 68John CabotJohn Cabot1450–1498 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures16 decades
  69. 69Vasily I of MoscowVasily I of Moscow1371–1425 · Politicians5 decades
  70. 70Rita of CasciaRita of Cascia1381–1457 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics19 decades
  71. 71Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics22 decades
  72. 72Pope Martin VPope Martin V1369–1431 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures5 decades
  73. 73Pope Callixtus IIIPope Callixtus III1379–1458 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0 decades
  74. 74Charles, Duke of OrléansCharles, Duke of Orléans1394–1465 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22 decades
  75. 75Bayezid IIBayezid II1447–1512 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures3 decades
  76. 76Pope Nicholas VPope Nicholas V1397–1455 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures10 decades
  77. 77Pope Eugene IVPope Eugene IV1383–1447 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures3 decades
  78. 78John the FearlessJohn the Fearless1371–1419 · 🇫🇷 Francenot measured—
  79. 79Elizabeth WoodvilleElizabeth Woodville1437–1492 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures20 decades
  80. 80Domenico GhirlandaioDomenico Ghirlandaio1448–1494 · Artists22 decades
  81. 81Margaret of AnjouMargaret of Anjou1430–1482 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  82. 82Gilles de RaisGilles de Rais1405–1440 · 🇫🇷 France17 decades
  83. 83Isabella of Aragon, Queen of PortugalIsabella of Aragon, Queen of Portugal1470–1498 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  84. 84John II of AragonJohn II of Aragon1398–1479 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Modelsnot measured—
  85. 85Luca PacioliLuca Pacioli1440–1517 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics22 decades
  86. 86Albert II of GermanyAlbert II of Germany1397–1439 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  87. 87Filippo LippiFilippo Lippi1406–1469 · Artists22 decades
  88. 88Isabeau of BavariaIsabeau of Bavaria1370–1435 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  89. 89Catherine of ValoisCatherine of Valois1401–1437 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  90. 90Andrea del VerrocchioAndrea del Verrocchio1435–1488 · Artists22 decades
  91. 91Rogier van der WeydenRogier van der Weyden1390–1464 · Artists13 decades
  92. 92Paolo UccelloPaolo Uccello1397–1475 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  93. 93Joan of ValoisJoan of Valois1464–1505 · 🇫🇷 France22 decades
  94. 94Ferdinand I of AragonFerdinand I of Aragon1380–1416 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures17 decades
  95. 95Antipope John XXIIIAntipope John XXIII1370–1419 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  96. 96PinturicchioPinturicchio1454–1513 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  97. 97Sejong the GreatSejong the Great1397–1450 · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Historical Figures0 decades
  98. 98René of AnjouRené of Anjou1409–1480 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures3 decades
  99. 99Lady Margaret BeaufortLady Margaret Beaufort1443–1509 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Educators18 decades
  100. 100Mehmed IMehmed I1386–1421 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical 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.