Claim profile
1500–1599

The 16th century

Whose working lives fell in the 16th 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 16th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇪🇸 Spain🇫🇷 France🇯🇵 Japan🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 Italy🇹🇷 Turkey🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇸🇪 Sweden🇨🇭 Switzerland🇮🇳 India
FieldAllHistorical FiguresWritersPoliticiansArtistsAcademicsReligious FiguresMusiciansScientistsModelsActors
  1. 1Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures22 decades
  2. 2Albrecht DürerAlbrecht Dürer1471–1528 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists22 decades
  3. 3William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians22 decades
  4. 4Anne of ClevesAnne of Cleves1515–1557 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures4 decades
  5. 5Philip MelanchthonPhilip Melanchthon1497–1560 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists22 decades
  6. 6Hans Holbein the YoungerHans Holbein the Younger1497–1543 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists18 decades
  7. 7Thomas MüntzerThomas Müntzer1489–1525 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures15 decades
  8. 8Lucas Cranach the ElderLucas Cranach the Elder1472–1553 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists6 decades
  9. 9Katharina von BoraKatharina von Bora1499–1552 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics21 decades
  10. 10Matthias GrünewaldMatthias Grünewald1480–1528 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists1 decades
  11. 11Hans SachsHans Sachs1494–1576 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers22 decades
  12. 12Johann Tserclaes, Count of TillyJohann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly1559–1632 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  13. 13Heinrich Cornelius AgrippaHeinrich Cornelius Agrippa1486–1535 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors0 decades
  14. 14Ulrich von HuttenUlrich von Hutten1488–1523 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  15. 15Georgius AgricolaGeorgius Agricola1494–1555 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors22 decades
  16. 16Albert, Duke of PrussiaAlbert, Duke of Prussia1490–1568 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  17. 17Hans BaldungHans Baldung1480–1545 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists20 decades
  18. 18Johann Georg FaustJohann Georg Faust1480–1540 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  19. 19Albrecht AltdorferAlbrecht Altdorfer1480–1538 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists19 decades
  20. 20Götz von BerlichingenGötz von Berlichingen1480–1562 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  21. 21Johann TetzelJohann Tetzel1465–1519 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics20 decades
  22. 22Martin BucerMartin Bucer1491–1551 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  23. 23Florian GeyerFlorian Geyer1490–1525 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians18 decades
  24. 24Hans Holbein the ElderHans Holbein the Elder1465–1524 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists5 decades
  25. 25John Frederick IJohn Frederick I1503–1554 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6 decades
  26. 26Bianca Maria SforzaBianca Maria Sforza1472–1510 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  27. 27Sebastian MünsterSebastian Münster1488–1552 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  28. 28Johannes BugenhagenJohannes Bugenhagen1485–1558 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics18 decades
  29. 29Adam RiesAdam Ries1492–1559 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics7 decades
  30. 30Ludolph van CeulenLudolph van Ceulen1540–1610 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades
  31. 31Christopher ClaviusChristopher Clavius1538–1612 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1 decades
  32. 32Johann EckJohann Eck1486–1543 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades
  33. 33John, Elector of SaxonyJohn, Elector of Saxony1468–1532 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians22 decades
  34. 34Joachim Frederick, Elector of BrandenburgJoachim Frederick, Elector of Brandenburg1546–1608 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures22 decades
  35. 35Maria Anna of BavariaMaria Anna of Bavaria1551–1608 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1 decades
  36. 36George, Duke of SaxonyGeorge, Duke of Saxony1471–1539 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians15 decades
  37. 37Hans Leo HasslerHans Leo Hassler1564–1612 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians12 decades
  38. 38Andreas KarlstadtAndreas Karlstadt1486–1541 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics0 decades
  39. 39Hans StadenHans Staden1525–1579 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures13 decades
  40. 40William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-BergWilliam, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg1516–1592 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  41. 41Joachim I Nestor, Elector of BrandenburgJoachim I Nestor, Elector of Brandenburg1484–1535 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models22 decades
  42. 42Johann WeyerJohann Weyer1515–1588 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors0 decades
  43. 43Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models22 decades
  44. 44Balthasar HubmaierBalthasar Hubmaier1485–1528 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors16 decades
  45. 45Otto HenryOtto Henry1502–1559 · 🇩🇪 Germany19 decades
  46. 46Sibylle of ClevesSibylle of Cleves1512–1554 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  47. 47John William, Duke of Saxe-WeimarJohn William, Duke of Saxe-Weimar1530–1573 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  48. 48Wolfgang, Count Palatine of ZweibrückenWolfgang, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken1526–1569 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  49. 49Louis VI of the PalatinateLouis VI of the Palatinate1539–1583 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models22 decades
  50. 50Barbara BlombergBarbara Blomberg1527–1597 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians13 decades
  51. 51Peter StumppPeter Stumpp1525–1589 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  52. 52John VI, Count of Nassau-SiegenJohn VI, Count of Nassau-Siegen1536–1606 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians21 decades
  53. 53Hans Burgkmair the ElderHans Burgkmair the Elder1473–1531 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists0 decades
  54. 54Philippine WelserPhilippine Welser1527–1580 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  55. 55William the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam the Younger, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1535–1592 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6 decades
  56. 56William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists22 decades
  57. 57Christine of SaxonyChristine of Saxony1505–1549 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians0 decades
  58. 58Juliana of StolbergJuliana of Stolberg1506–1580 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  59. 59John William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-BergJohn William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg1562–1609 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures22 decades
  60. 60Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  61. 61Andreas OsianderAndreas Osiander1498–1552 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors20 decades
  62. 62Christine of HesseChristine of Hesse1543–1604 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  63. 63Martin ChemnitzMartin Chemnitz1522–1586 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics22 decades
  64. 64Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-KulmbachAlbert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach1522–1557 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models0 decades
  65. 65Elizabeth of Denmark, Electress of BrandenburgElizabeth of Denmark, Electress of Brandenburg1485–1555 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  66. 66Anton PraetoriusAnton Praetorius1560–1613 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors0 decades
  67. 67William Louis, Count of Nassau-DillenburgWilliam Louis, Count of Nassau-Dillenburg1560–1620 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Johannes AgricolaJohannes Agricola1494–1566 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades
  69. 69Jost AmmanJost Amman1539–1591 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists5 decades
  70. 70Charles I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-BirkenfeldCharles I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld1560–1600 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  71. 71Philip, Duke of Palatinate-NeuburgPhilip, Duke of Palatinate-Neuburg1503–1548 · 🇩🇪 Germanynot measured—
  72. 72Heinrich KhunrathHeinrich Khunrath1560–1605 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors0 decades
  73. 73Duke Friedrich Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-WeimarDuke Friedrich Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar1562–1602 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  74. 74Henry the Middle, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry the Middle, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1468–1532 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  75. 75Paul LutherPaul Luther1533–1593 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists2 decades
  76. 76John Casimir of the Palatinate-SimmernJohn Casimir of the Palatinate-Simmern1543–1592 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  77. 77Melchior HoffmanMelchior Hoffman1490–1543 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors19 decades
  78. 78Henry III of Nassau-BredaHenry III of Nassau-Breda1483–1538 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  79. 79Julius, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJulius, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1528–1589 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  80. 80Johann von StaupitzJohann von Staupitz1465–1524 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors0 decades
  81. 81Hans Sebald BehamHans Sebald Beham1500–1550 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists19 decades
  82. 82Louis II, Count Palatine of ZweibrückenLouis II, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken1502–1532 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  83. 83Johannes AventinusJohannes Aventinus1477–1534 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  84. 84Ernest of BavariaErnest of Bavaria1554–1612 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures19 decades
  85. 85Johannes PfefferkornJohannes Pfefferkorn1469–1523 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  86. 86John I, Count Palatine of ZweibrückenJohn I, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken1550–1604 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  87. 87John Frederick II of SaxonyJohn Frederick II of Saxony1529–1595 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures9 decades
  88. 88Louis X, Duke of BavariaLouis X, Duke of Bavaria1495–1545 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  89. 89Sabina of BavariaSabina of Bavaria1492–1564 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  90. 90Sebastian FranckSebastian Franck1499–1542 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers19 decades
  91. 91ELElia Levita1469–1549 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  92. 92Frederick of SaxonyFrederick of Saxony1474–1510 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  93. 93Philip Louis, Count Palatine of NeuburgPhilip Louis, Count Palatine of Neuburg1547–1614 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures22 decades
  94. 94Ubbo EmmiusUbbo Emmius1547–1625 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  95. 95Sidonia von BorckeSidonia von Borcke1548–1620 · 🇩🇪 Germany1 decades
  96. 96Otto BrunfelsOtto Brunfels1488–1534 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists22 decades
  97. 97Maria of the Palatinate-SimmernMaria of the Palatinate-Simmern1561–1589 · 🇩🇪 Germany0 decades
  98. 98Zacharias UrsinusZacharias Ursinus1534–1583 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors10 decades
  99. 99Philip I, Duke of PomeraniaPhilip I, Duke of Pomerania1515–1560 · 🇩🇪 Germany22 decades
  100. 100Anton FuggerAnton Fugger1493–1560 · 🇩🇪 Germany20 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.