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. 2Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  3. 3Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  4. 4Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  5. 5John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  6. 6Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  7. 7Luis de GóngoraLuis de Góngora1561–1627 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  8. 8Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  9. 9Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  10. 10Alonso de ErcillaAlonso de Ercilla1533–1595 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  11. 11Mateo AlemánMateo Alemán1547–1614 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  12. 12José de AcostaJosé de Acosta1540–1600 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  13. 13Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers18 decades
  14. 14Juan de MarianaJuan de Mariana1536–1624 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  15. 15Juan Ginés de SepúlvedaJuan Ginés de Sepúlveda1490–1573 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  16. 16Juan del EncinaJuan del Encina1468–1529 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2 decades
  17. 17Cristóbal de MoralesCristóbal de Morales1500–1553 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers18 decades
  18. 18Francisco López de GómaraFrancisco López de Gómara1511–1564 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  19. 19Toribio de BenaventeToribio de Benavente1482–1568 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers19 decades
  20. 20Benito Arias MontanoBenito Arias Montano1527–1598 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  21. 21Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  22. 22Antonio Guevara NoroñaAntonio Guevara Noroña1480–1545 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  23. 23Alonso Fernández de AvellanedaAlonso Fernández de Avellaneda1501–1601 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers17 decades
  24. 24Diego DuránDiego Durán1537–1588 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers15 decades
  25. 25Vespasiano I GonzagaVespasiano I Gonzaga1531–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  26. 26Casiodoro de ReinaCasiodoro de Reina1520–1594 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers18 decades
  27. 27Vicente EspinelVicente Espinel1550–1624 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  28. 28Anne of Saint BartholomewAnne of Saint Bartholomew1550–1626 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers17 decades
  29. 29Pedro de la GascaPedro de la Gasca1493–1567 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  30. 30Fernando de HerreraFernando de Herrera1534–1597 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  31. 31Antonio de HerreraAntonio de Herrera1549–1626 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers9 decades
  32. 32Blessed Anne of JesusBlessed Anne of Jesus1545–1621 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers18 decades
  33. 33Juan de TorquemadaJuan de Torquemada1557–1624 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  34. 34Juan de CastellanosJuan de Castellanos1522–1607 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers20 decades
  35. 35Nicholas BobadillaNicholas Bobadilla1511–1590 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers3 decades
  36. 36Pedro de RibadeneiraPedro de Ribadeneira1527–1611 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers19 decades
  37. 37Luisa Sigea de VelascoLuisa Sigea de Velasco1522–1560 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers20 decades
  38. 38Antonio de MorgaAntonio de Morga1559–1636 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Gutierre de CetinaGutierre de Cetina1520–1554 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  40. 40Luis del Mármol CarvajalLuis del Mármol Carvajal1524–1600 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers15 decades
  41. 41Juan de la Cueva de GarozaJuan de la Cueva de Garoza1550–1612 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  42. 42Alonso de OrozcoAlonso de Orozco1500–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  43. 43Andrés LagunaAndrés Laguna1499–1559 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  44. 44Juana de la Cruz Vázquez GutiérrezJuana de la Cruz Vázquez Gutiérrez1481–1534 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  45. 45Sebastián de CovarrubiasSebastián de Covarrubias1539–1613 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  46. 46FDFrancisco de Osuna1492–1540 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers20 decades
  47. 47Alonso de MolinaAlonso de Molina1513–1579 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  48. 48JDJuan de Betanzos1510–1576 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers18 decades
  49. 49Bartolomé Torres NaharroBartolomé Torres Naharro1485–1520 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  50. 50DJDon Juan of Persia1560–1620 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers4 decades
  51. 51Bernardino de MendozaBernardino de Mendoza1540–1604 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  52. 52Ambrosio de MoralesAmbrosio de Morales1513–1591 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  53. 53Lupercio Leonardo de ArgensolaLupercio Leonardo de Argensola1559–1613 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  54. 54Pedro MexíaPedro Mexía1497–1551 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  55. 55Baltasar de Zúñiga y VelascoBaltasar de Zúñiga y Velasco1561–1622 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  56. 56Hernando de AcuñaHernando de Acuña1518–1580 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  57. 57Baltasar del AlcázarBaltasar del Alcázar1530–1606 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers20 decades
  58. 58Jerome XavierJerome Xavier1549–1617 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  59. 59Jerome GratianJerome Gratian1545–1614 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers14 decades
  60. 60Francisco Cervantes de SalazarFrancisco Cervantes de Salazar1513–1575 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  61. 61Francisco XerezFrancisco Xerez1497–1565 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers19 decades
  62. 62Hernán NúñezHernán Núñez1475–1553 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2 decades
  63. 63Domingo de Santo TomásDomingo de Santo Tomás1499–1570 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers19 decades
  64. 64GDGerónimo de Mendieta1525–1604 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers15 decades
  65. 65Cristóbal de CastillejoCristóbal de Castillejo1491–1550 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  66. 66Francisco de AldanaFrancisco de Aldana1537–1578 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  67. 67Juan RufoJuan Rufoborn 1547 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  68. 68Fray Martín de MurúaFray Martín de Murúa1525–1618 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  69. 69Francisco DelicadoFrancisco Delicado1480–1535 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers16 decades
  70. 70Juan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of FríasJuan Fernández de Velasco, 5th Duke of Frías1550–1613 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71PCPedro Chirino1557–1635 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers10 decades
  72. 72Pedro de AguadoPedro de Aguado1513–1608 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers12 decades
  73. 73Alonso GutiérrezAlonso Gutiérrez1504–1584 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74PDPrudencio de Sandoval1551–1620 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  75. 75Agustín de ZárateAgustín de Zárate1514–1560 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers17 decades
  76. 76LBLuis Barahona de Soto1548–1595 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  77. 77LDLuis de Ávila y Zuniga1500–1564 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers15 decades
  78. 78JLJuan López de Hoyos1511–1583 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Francisco de MendozaFrancisco de Mendoza1547–1623 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80FDFeliciano de Silva1490–1554 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Iñigo López de Mendoza y MendozaIñigo López de Mendoza y Mendoza1512–1580 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Pedro Álvarez de Toledo, 5th Marquis of VillafrancaPedro Álvarez de Toledo, 5th Marquis of Villafranca1546–1627 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83GPGinés Pérez de Hita1544–1619 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers16 decades
  84. 84Francisco Balbi di CorreggioFrancisco Balbi di Correggio1505–1589 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Gonzalo II Fernández de CórdobaGonzalo II Fernández de Córdoba1520–1578 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86ACAlfonso Ceron1535–1600 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0 decades
  87. 87Pedro Sánchez de la HozPedro Sánchez de la Hoz1514–1547 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88FPFernán Pérez de Oliva1494–1531 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  89. 89Diego García de ParedesDiego García de Paredes1466–1534 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Diego de EstellaDiego de Estella1524–1578 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers21 decades
  91. 91JCJuan Cobo1546–1592 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Alonso RodriguezAlonso Rodriguez1526–1616 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  93. 93Francisco de FigueroaFrancisco de Figueroa1530–1588 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers22 decades
  94. 94Joan Perez de LazarragaJoan Perez de Lazarraga1548–1605 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Pedro de ValenciaPedro de Valencia1555–1620 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Francisco de ValdezFrancisco de Valdez1511–1580 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Lorenzo IV Suárez de Figueroa y CórdobaLorenzo IV Suárez de Figueroa y Córdoba1559–1607 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98Gonzalo Argote de MolinaGonzalo Argote de Molina1548–1596 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99DDDiego de Haedo1555–1613 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Pedro Malón de ChaidePedro Malón de Chaide1530–1589 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writersnot measured—

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.