Claim profile
1620–1629

The 1620s

Whose working lives fell in the 1620s. 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 1620s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu1585–1642 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figuresnot measured—
  2. 2Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes1588–1679 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics22 decades
  3. 3Artemisia GentileschiArtemisia Gentileschi1593–1653 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists18 decades
  4. 4Gustavus Adolphus of SwedenGustavus Adolphus of Sweden1594–1632 · 🇸🇪 Sweden13 decades
  5. 5Nicolas PoussinNicolas Poussin1594–1665 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists22 decades
  6. 6Shah JahanShah Jahan1592–1666 · Historical Figures16 decades
  7. 7John Amos ComeniusJohn Amos Comenius1592–1670 · Educators17 decades
  8. 8Georges de La TourGeorges de La Tour1593–1652 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists9 decades
  9. 9Jusepe de RiberaJusepe de Ribera1591–1652 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists18 decades
  10. 10Kösem SultanKösem Sultan1589–1651 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0 decades
  11. 11Mumtaz MahalMumtaz Mahal1593–1631 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers9 decades
  12. 12Heinrich SchützHeinrich Schütz1585–1672 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians20 decades
  13. 13Mustafa IMustafa I1591–1639 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Models0 decades
  14. 14Osman IIOsman II1604–1622 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0 decades
  15. 15Pope Clement XPope Clement X1590–1676 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0 decades
  16. 16George Villiers, 1st Duke of BuckinghamGeorge Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham1592–1628 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  17. 17GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists22 decades
  18. 18Pierre GassendiPierre Gassendi1592–1655 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics21 decades
  19. 19Marin MersenneMarin Mersenne1588–1648 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics17 decades
  20. 20Matthäus MerianMatthäus Merian1593–1650 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Scientists18 decades
  21. 21Jacques CallotJacques Callot1592–1635 · Artists21 decades
  22. 22Victor Amadeus I of SavoyVictor Amadeus I of Savoy1587–1637 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures7 decades
  23. 23Johann Georg I, Elector of SaxonyJohann Georg I, Elector of Saxony1585–1656 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  24. 24Simon VouetSimon Vouet1590–1649 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists22 decades
  25. 25Jacob JordaensJacob Jordaens1593–1678 · Artists1 decades
  26. 26Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyCosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany1590–1621 · Politicians16 decades
  27. 27Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of OlivaresGaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares1587–1645 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  28. 28Gerard van HonthorstGerard van Honthorst1592–1656 · Artists0 decades
  29. 29Joost van den VondelJoost van den Vondel1587–1679 · Writers0 decades
  30. 30Cornelius JansenCornelius Jansen1585–1638 · Religious Figures12 decades
  31. 31Mahfiruz HatunMahfiruz Hatun1590–1620 · 🇹🇷 Turkeynot measured—
  32. 32Théophile de ViauThéophile de Viau1590–1626 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19 decades
  33. 33Hong TaijiHong Taiji1592–1643 · Politicians0 decades
  34. 34Gottfried Heinrich Graf zu PappenheimGottfried Heinrich Graf zu Pappenheim1594–1632 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  35. 35Friedrich SpeeFriedrich Spee1591–1635 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers21 decades
  36. 36Wilhelm SchickardWilhelm Schickard1592–1635 · Academicsnot measured—
  37. 37George HerbertGeorge Herbert1593–1633 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  38. 38Francesca CacciniFrancesca Caccini1587–1641 · Musicians9 decades
  39. 39Henri, Prince of CondéHenri, Prince of Condé1588–1646 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figuresnot measured—
  40. 40Hendrick AvercampHendrick Avercamp1585–1634 · Artists0 decades
  41. 41Girard DesarguesGirard Desargues1591–1661 · Academics4 decades
  42. 42Leopold V, Archduke of AustriaLeopold V, Archduke of Austria1586–16320 decades
  43. 43Johann Adam Schall von BellJohann Adam Schall von Bell1592–1666 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists5 decades
  44. 44AntonioAntonio1592–1650 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures19 decades
  45. 45Anne HutchinsonAnne Hutchinson1591–1643 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics20 decades
  46. 46Uriel da CostaUriel da Costa1585–1640 · Academics0 decades
  47. 47Johannes Valentinus AndreaeJohannes Valentinus Andreae1586–1654 · Actors12 decades
  48. 48Marie de Bourbon, Duchess of MontpensierMarie de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier1605–1627 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  49. 49Urbain GrandierUrbain Grandier1590–1634 · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures22 decades
  50. 50Archduchess Maria Maddalena of AustriaArchduchess Maria Maddalena of Austria1589–1631 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians0 decades
  51. 51Jean de BrébeufJean de Brébeuf1593–164913 decades
  52. 52Louise MarillacLouise Marillac1591–1660 · 🇫🇷 France20 decades
  53. 53Samuel ScheidtSamuel Scheidt1587–1654 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians15 decades
  54. 54Pietro Della VallePietro Della Valle1586–1652 · Historical Figures18 decades
  55. 55Willem Claesz. HedaWillem Claesz. Heda1594–1680 · Artistsnot measured—
  56. 56Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · Historical Figures7 decades
  57. 57Christian the Younger of BrunswickChristian the Younger of Brunswick1599–1626 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  58. 58John RolfeJohn Rolfe1585–1622 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures20 decades
  59. 59César, Duke of VendômeCésar, Duke of Vendôme1594–1665 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures22 decades
  60. 60Clara PeetersClara Peeters1587–1657 · Artists0 decades
  61. 61Constance of AustriaConstance of Austria1588–1631 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures0 decades
  62. 62SquantoSquanto1585–162222 decades
  63. 63Tianqi EmperorTianqi Emperor1605–1627 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0 decades
  64. 64Hendrick ter BrugghenHendrick ter Brugghen1588–1629 · Artists0 decades
  65. 65Virginia DareVirginia Dareborn 1587 · 🇺🇸 United States14 decades
  66. 66Alexandre de RhodesAlexandre de Rhodes1591–1660 · Academics0 decades
  67. 67Catherine de Vivonne, marquise de RambouilletCatherine de Vivonne, marquise de Rambouillet1588–1665 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0 decades
  68. 68María de ZayasMaría de Zayas1590–1653 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  69. 69Jan Pieterszoon CoenJan Pieterszoon Coen1587–1629 · Business Professionals0 decades
  70. 70Shabdrung Ngawang NamgyalShabdrung Ngawang Namgyal1594–1651 · Politicians0 decades
  71. 71Dirck van BaburenDirck van Baburen1595–1624 · Artists0 decades
  72. 72Nicolaes TulpNicolaes Tulp1593–1674 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Doctors0 decades
  73. 73Ivan GundulićIvan Gundulić1589–1638 · Writers0 decades
  74. 74Thomas WentworthThomas Wentworth1593–1641 · Politicians22 decades
  75. 75John BerchmansJohn Berchmans1599–162115 decades
  76. 76John Casimir, Count Palatine of KleeburgJohn Casimir, Count Palatine of Kleeburg1589–1652 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  77. 77Ole WormOle Worm1588–1654 · Academics0 decades
  78. 78BCBenedetta Carlini1590–1661 · 🇮🇹 Italy0 decades
  79. 79Andrzej BobolaAndrzej Bobola1591–1657 · Religious Figures0 decades
  80. 80Robert FilmerRobert Filmer1588–1653 · Academics21 decades
  81. 81George I RákócziGeorge I Rákóczi1593–1648 · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Gustav Horn, Count of PoriGustav Horn, Count of Pori1592–1657 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  83. 83Lorenzo RuizLorenzo Ruiz1594–16370 decades
  84. 84Charlotte Marguerite de MontmorencyCharlotte Marguerite de Montmorency1594–1650 · 🇫🇷 France0 decades
  85. 85Anthony van DiemenAnthony van Diemen1593–1645 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Politicians0 decades
  86. 86Étienne BrûléÉtienne Brûlé1592–1633 · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0 decades
  87. 87Izaak WaltonIzaak Walton1593–1683 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers22 decades
  88. 88Khusrau MirzaKhusrau Mirza1587–1622 · Politicians0 decades
  89. 89Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of EssexRobert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex1591–1646 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Stanisław KoniecpolskiStanisław Koniecpolski1590–16460 decades
  91. 91John FeltonJohn Felton1595–162815 decades
  92. 92Isabella BrantIsabella Brant1591–16260 decades
  93. 93Robert Carr, 1st Earl of SomersetRobert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset1587–1645 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Théophraste RenaudotThéophraste Renaudot1586–1653 · 🇫🇷 France · Journalists22 decades
  95. 95Duchess Magdalene Sibylle of PrussiaDuchess Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia1586–1659 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  96. 96Sarmad KashaniSarmad Kashani1590–1661 · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97William Cavendish, 1st Duke of NewcastleWilliam Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle1592–1676 · Politiciansnot measured—
  98. 98Moulay Ali CherifMoulay Ali Cherif1588–16590 decades
  99. 99Isabella of Savoy, Hereditary Princess of ModenaIsabella of Savoy, Hereditary Princess of Modena1591–1626 · Politicians0 decades
  100. 100John HampdenJohn Hampden1594–1643 · Politicians22 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.