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. 1Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  2. 2Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  3. 3Philip II of SpainPhilip II of Spain1527–1598 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Models22 decades
  4. 4Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  5. 5Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures22 decades
  6. 6Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  7. 7Catherine of AragonCatherine of Aragon1485–1536 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians20 decades
  8. 8Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  9. 9Joanna of CastileJoanna of Castile1479–1555 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3 decades
  10. 10Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  11. 11Ferdinand I, Holy Roman EmperorFerdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor1503–1564 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  12. 12John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  13. 13Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  14. 14Juan Sebastián ElcanoJuan Sebastián Elcano1486–1526 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures14 decades
  15. 15Luis de GóngoraLuis de Góngora1561–1627 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  16. 16Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  17. 17Vasco Núñez de BalboaVasco Núñez de Balboa1475–1519 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures19 decades
  18. 18Michael ServetusMichael Servetus1511–1553 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Doctors22 decades
  19. 19Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  20. 20Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto1500–1542 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  21. 21John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  22. 22Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  23. 23Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of AlbaFernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba1507–1582 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  24. 24Francisco de OrellanaFrancisco de Orellana1511–1546 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  25. 25Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  26. 26Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists22 decades
  27. 27Carlos, Prince of AsturiasCarlos, Prince of Asturias1545–1568 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  28. 28Álvar Núñez Cabeza de VacaÁlvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca1485–1559 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures8 decades
  29. 29Eleanor of AustriaEleanor of Austria1498–1558 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians12 decades
  30. 30Francisco SuárezFrancisco Suárez1548–1617 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures14 decades
  31. 31Maria of Aragon, Queen of PortugalMaria of Aragon, Queen of Portugal1482–1517 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  32. 32Tomás Luis de VictoriaTomás Luis de Victoria1548–1611 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Musicians14 decades
  33. 33Francisco de VitoriaFrancisco de Vitoria1480–1546 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics21 decades
  34. 34Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  35. 35Alexander Farnese, Duke of ParmaAlexander Farnese, Duke of Parma1545–1592 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians21 decades
  36. 36Anna of Austria, Queen of SpainAnna of Austria, Queen of Spain1549–1580 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  37. 37Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  38. 38Alonso de OjedaAlonso de Ojeda1466–1515 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  39. 39Maria of Austria, Holy Roman EmpressMaria of Austria, Holy Roman Empress1528–1603 · 🇪🇸 Spainnot measured—
  40. 40Miguel López de LegazpiMiguel López de Legazpi1502–1572 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures14 decades
  41. 41Francisco Vázquez de CoronadoFrancisco Vázquez de Coronado1510–1554 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures14 decades
  42. 42Diego Velazquez de CuéllarDiego Velazquez de Cuéllar1465–1524 · 🇪🇸 Spain10 decades
  43. 43Joseph of AnchietaJoseph of Anchieta1534–1597 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures13 decades
  44. 44Bernardino de SahagúnBernardino de Sahagún1499–1590 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics14 decades
  45. 45John of ÁvilaJohn of Ávila1499–1569 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures19 decades
  46. 46Pánfilo de NarváezPánfilo de Narváez1470–1528 · 🇪🇸 Spain16 decades
  47. 47Juan de HerreraJuan de Herrera1530–1597 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects22 decades
  48. 48Henry II of NavarreHenry II of Navarre1503–1555 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Models0 decades
  49. 49Juan Díaz de SolísJuan Díaz de Solís1470–1516 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures15 decades
  50. 50Pedro de MendozaPedro de Mendoza1487–1537 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  51. 51Joanna of Austria, Princess of PortugalJoanna of Austria, Princess of Portugal1535–1573 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  52. 52LDLope de Aguirre1510–1561 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  53. 53Ruy López de SeguraRuy López de Segura1530–1580 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0 decades
  54. 54Catherine of Austria, Queen of PortugalCatherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal1507–1578 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  55. 55Leo AfricanusLeo Africanus1494–1600 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians15 decades
  56. 56Infanta Catherine Michelle of SpainInfanta Catherine Michelle of Spain1567–1597 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0 decades
  57. 57Alonso de ErcillaAlonso de Ercilla1533–1595 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  58. 58Sebastián de BelalcázarSebastián de Belalcázar1480–1551 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures15 decades
  59. 59Juan de GrijalvaJuan de Grijalva1490–1527 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  60. 60Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 decades
  61. 61Mateo AlemánMateo Alemán1547–1614 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  62. 62Eleanor of ToledoEleanor of Toledo1522–1562 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  63. 63Juan Luis VivesJuan Luis Vives1492–1540 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics6 decades
  64. 64Diego ColumbusDiego Columbus1479–1526 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Andrés de UrdanetaAndrés de Urdaneta1498–1568 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures19 decades
  66. 66Antonio de MendozaAntonio de Mendoza1490–1552 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0 decades
  67. 67Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  68. 68Álvaro de Mendaña de NeiraÁlvaro de Mendaña de Neira1542–1595 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures4 decades
  69. 69Miguel da Paz, Prince of PortugalMiguel da Paz, Prince of Portugal1498–1500 · 🇪🇸 Spain2 decades
  70. 70Ferdinand ColumbusFerdinand Columbus1488–1539 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures15 decades
  71. 71Juan de ZumárragaJuan de Zumárraga1468–1548 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures21 decades
  72. 72Francisco Hernández de CordobaFrancisco Hernández de Cordoba1475–1518 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures16 decades
  73. 73José de AcostaJosé de Acosta1540–1600 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  74. 74Diego de LandaDiego de Landa1524–1579 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures19 decades
  75. 75Álvaro de Bazán, 1st Marquis of Santa CruzÁlvaro de Bazán, 1st Marquis of Santa Cruz1526–1588 · 🇪🇸 Spain15 decades
  76. 76Alonso BerrugueteAlonso Berruguete1486–1561 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists22 decades
  77. 77Inés SuárezInés Suárez1507–1580 · 🇪🇸 Spain14 decades
  78. 78Francisco Gómez de Sandoval, 1st Duke of LermaFrancisco Gómez de Sandoval, 1st Duke of Lerma1553–1625 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  80. 80Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians22 decades
  81. 81Pedro Sarmiento de GamboaPedro Sarmiento de Gamboa1530–1592 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures21 decades
  82. 82Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers18 decades
  83. 83Juan de MarianaJuan de Mariana1536–1624 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  84. 84Gonzalo Jiménez de QuesadaGonzalo Jiménez de Quesada1509–1579 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0 decades
  85. 85Thomas of VillanovaThomas of Villanova1488–1555 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics22 decades
  86. 86Pedro Menéndez de AvilésPedro Menéndez de Avilés1519–1574 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures13 decades
  87. 87Antonio PérezAntonio Pérez1534–1611 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  88. 88Pedro Cieza de LeónPedro Cieza de León1518–1554 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures14 decades
  89. 89Paschal BaylonPaschal Baylon1540–1592 · 🇪🇸 Spain18 decades
  90. 90Luis de MolinaLuis de Molina1535–1600 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics22 decades
  91. 91Jerónimo de AguilarJerónimo de Aguilar1489–1531 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures19 decades
  92. 92Juan Ginés de SepúlvedaJuan Ginés de Sepúlveda1490–1573 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  93. 93Petrus GonsalvusPetrus Gonsalvus1537–1618 · 🇪🇸 Spainnot measured—
  94. 94Ferrante GonzagaFerrante Gonzaga1507–1557 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0 decades
  95. 95Juan de ValdésJuan de Valdés1505–1541 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors21 decades
  96. 96Diego, Prince of AsturiasDiego, Prince of Asturias1575–1582 · 🇪🇸 Spain0 decades
  97. 97Ferdinand, Prince of AsturiasFerdinand, Prince of Asturias1571–1578 · 🇪🇸 Spainnot measured—
  98. 98Gonzalo GuerreroGonzalo Guerrero1470–1536 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures21 decades
  99. 99Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 🇪🇸 Spain22 decades
  100. 100Juan de OñateJuan de Oñate1550–1626 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures22 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.