Claim profile
1900–1909

The 1900s

Whose names filled the books of the 1900s — anyone at all, however long dead — counted as mentions per million words printed, so a period that simply published more does not inflate anyone.

Talked about then

Whose names appeared most in English books during the 1900s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish17,919German3,582French3,276Italian1,768Spanish1,159Russian236Hebrew106Chinese88
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures43
  2. 2AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians9.2
  3. 3HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers8.8
  4. 4PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.3
  5. 5CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6.2
  6. 6AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics5.9
  7. 7VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.3
  8. 8Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.1
  9. 9SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.5
  10. 10Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures3.2
  11. 11Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures3.2
  12. 12Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians3.2
  13. 13George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.4
  14. 14PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics2.3
  15. 15William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists2.3
  16. 16Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.3
  17. 17HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers2.3
  18. 18CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures2.3
  19. 19CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures2.2
  20. 20EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  21. 21Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures2.1
  22. 22Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians2.1
  23. 23Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century2.1
  24. 24HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.1
  25. 25HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century2.1
  26. 26Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.1
  27. 27Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2.0
  28. 28OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.9
  29. 29John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.8
  30. 30DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.7
  31. 31RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.6
  32. 32John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.6
  33. 33EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.6
  34. 34John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures1.5
  35. 35PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.5
  36. 36PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.5
  37. 37Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models1.5
  38. 38HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures1.5
  39. 39Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  40. 40Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians1.5
  41. 41Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century1.5
  42. 42Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century1.5
  43. 43Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians1.5
  44. 44Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century1.5
  45. 45George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.4
  46. 46Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century1.4
  47. 47HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century1.4
  48. 48Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians1.4
  49. 49WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists1.4
  50. 50LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.4
  51. 51XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.4
  52. 52Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  53. 53BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.4
  54. 54SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  55. 55James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century1.4
  56. 56Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.3
  57. 57John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  58. 58Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
  59. 59Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century1.3
  60. 60Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century1.3
  61. 61Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  62. 62Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century1.3
  63. 63Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century1.3
  64. 64Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.3
  65. 65Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models1.3
  66. 66Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century1.3
  67. 67Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.3
  68. 68HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century1.3
  69. 69Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  70. 70Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  71. 71Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France1.3
  72. 72Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France1.3
  73. 73Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer1820–1903 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.3
  74. 74AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC1.3
  75. 75Matthew ArnoldMatthew Arnold1822–1888 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.2
  76. 76SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  77. 77Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  78. 78John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians1.2
  79. 79Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie1835–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1.2
  80. 80Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.2
  81. 81John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century1.2
  82. 82HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.2
  83. 83ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.1
  84. 84Frederick William, Elector of HesseFrederick William, Elector of Hesse1802–1875 · 19th century1.1
  85. 85Frederick WilliamFrederick William1601–1625 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.1
  86. 86AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.1
  87. 87OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics1.1
  88. 88HoseaHoseaborn 784 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures1.1
  89. 89Ben JonsonBen Jonson1572–1637 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.1
  90. 90TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  91. 91Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  92. 92Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.00
  93. 93William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders1.00
  94. 94OsceolaOsceola1804–1838 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.99
  95. 95Lord ByronLord Byron1788–1824 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.99
  96. 96PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.96
  97. 97LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.92
  98. 98TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics0.91
  99. 99Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.91
  100. 100GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.91

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1900s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · Politicians12 decades
  2. 2Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians13 decades
  3. 3Marie CurieMarie Curie1867–1934 · Scientists4 decades
  4. 4Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · Historical Figures14 decades
  5. 5Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi1869–1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Activists10 decades
  6. 6Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians12 decades
  7. 7Rosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists13 decades
  8. 8Grigori RasputinGrigori Rasputin1869–1916 · Politicians11 decades
  9. 9Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  10. 10Henri MatisseHenri Matisse1869–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  11. 11George VGeorge V1865–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures16 decades
  12. 12Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · Writers13 decades
  13. 13KandinskyKandinsky1866–1944 · Artists4 decades
  14. 14Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  15. 15Roald AmundsenRoald Amundsen1872–1928 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures12 decades
  16. 16Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling1865–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  17. 17H. G. WellsH. G. Wells1866–1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  18. 18Bertrand RussellBertrand Russell1872–1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics13 decades
  19. 19RachmaninoffRachmaninoff1873–1943 · Musicians8 decades
  20. 20Harry HoudiniHarry Houdini1874–1926 · Actors7 decades
  21. 21Neville ChamberlainNeville Chamberlain1869–1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians16 decades
  22. 22Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover1874–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  23. 23Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright1867–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Architects12 decades
  24. 24Sergei RachmaninoffSergei Rachmaninoff1873–1943 · Musicians8 decades
  25. 25Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidge1872–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  26. 26G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton1874–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  27. 27Warren G. HardingWarren G. Harding1865–1923 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  28. 28Victor Emmanuel III of ItalyVictor Emmanuel III of Italy1869–1947 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures8 decades
  29. 29Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter1866–1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  30. 30Haakon VII of NorwayHaakon VII of Norway1872–1957 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures0 decades
  31. 31Józef PiłsudskiJózef Piłsudski1867–1935 · Politicians3 decades
  32. 32Maria MontessoriMaria Montessori1870–1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Doctors12 decades
  33. 33Ernest ShackletonErnest Shackleton1874–1922 · Historical Figures11 decades
  34. 34Laura Ingalls WilderLaura Ingalls Wilder1867–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  35. 35W. Somerset MaughamW. Somerset Maugham1874–1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0 decades
  36. 36W. E. B. Du BoisW. E. B. Du Bois1868–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics12 decades
  37. 37W. B. YeatsW. B. Yeats1865–1939 · Writers12 decades
  38. 38Alexandra FeodorovnaAlexandra Feodorovna1872–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  39. 39Jules RimetJules Rimet1873–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Lawyers3 decades
  40. 40Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  41. 41Mary of TeckMary of Teck1867–1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  42. 42Gertrude SteinGertrude Stein1874–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  43. 43ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  44. 44Erich LudendorffErich Ludendorff1865–1937 · Politicians10 decades
  45. 45Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi1874–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists13 decades
  46. 46Emma GoldmanEmma Goldman1869–1940 · Journalists12 decades
  47. 47Carl Gustaf Emil MannerheimCarl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim1867–1951 · Politicians0 decades
  48. 48Natsume SōsekiNatsume Sōseki1867–1916 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  49. 49Piet MondrianPiet Mondrian1872–1944 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists7 decades
  50. 50Fritz HaberFritz Haber1868–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  51. 51Alexander KolchakAlexander Kolchak1874–1920 · Politicians4 decades
  52. 52André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  53. 53Ernest RutherfordErnest Rutherford1871–1937 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Scientists12 decades
  54. 54Alfred AdlerAlfred Adler1870–1937 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics11 decades
  55. 55Robert FrostRobert Frost1874–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  56. 56Lucy Maud MontgomeryLucy Maud Montgomery1874–1942 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Writers3 decades
  57. 57Jean SibeliusJean Sibelius1865–1957 · Musicians0 decades
  58. 58Friedrich EbertFriedrich Ebert1871–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  59. 59Maud of WalesMaud of Wales1869–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  60. 60Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · Politicians11 decades
  61. 61Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  62. 62Howard CarterHoward Carter1874–1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics12 decades
  63. 63Albert FishAlbert Fish1870–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  64. 64Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  65. 65Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  66. 66Constantine I of GreeceConstantine I of Greece1868–1923 · Historical Figures0 decades
  67. 67Miklós HorthyMiklós Horthy1868–1957 · Politicians1 decades
  68. 68Robert Falcon ScottRobert Falcon Scott1868–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures3 decades
  69. 69Gertrude BellGertrude Bell1868–1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  70. 70Christian X of DenmarkChristian X of Denmark1870–1947 · Historical Figures0 decades
  71. 71Karl LiebknechtKarl Liebknecht1871–1919 · Politicians11 decades
  72. 72George GurdjieffGeorge Gurdjieff1866–1949 · Academics0 decades
  73. 73Stanley BaldwinStanley Baldwin1867–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians10 decades
  74. 74Margaret BrownMargaret Brown1867–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors16 decades
  75. 75Pietro BadoglioPietro Badoglio1871–1956 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  76. 76Enrico CarusoEnrico Caruso1873–1921 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians12 decades
  77. 77Scott JoplinScott Joplin1868–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  78. 78Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers13 decades
  79. 79Alexander ScriabinAlexander Scriabin1871–1915 · Musicians3 decades
  80. 80Arnold SchoenbergArnold Schoenberg1874–1951 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians11 decades
  81. 81Abdulmejid IIAbdulmejid II1868–1944 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Artistsnot measured—
  82. 82Aurobindo GhoshAurobindo Ghosh1872–1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics4 decades
  83. 83Miguel Primo de RiveraMiguel Primo de Rivera1870–1930 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Emilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo1869–1964 · Politicians13 decades
  85. 85Maria GorettiMaria Goretti1890–1902 · 🇮🇹 Italynot measured—
  86. 86Magnus HirschfeldMagnus Hirschfeld1868–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors12 decades
  87. 87Talaat PashaTalaat Pasha1874–1921 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians5 decades
  88. 88Sai Baba of ShirdiSai Baba of Shirdidied 1918not measured—
  89. 89Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists12 decades
  90. 90Alexandra KollontaiAlexandra Kollontai1872–1952 · Politicians7 decades
  91. 91Anton DenikinAnton Denikin1872–1947 · Writers3 decades
  92. 92Ramsay MacDonaldRamsay MacDonald1866–1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians12 decades
  93. 93Mary MallonMary Mallon1869–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdomnot measured—
  94. 94Gustav HolstGustav Holst1874–1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians7 decades
  95. 95Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  96. 96Alberto Santos-DumontAlberto Santos-Dumont1873–1932 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Scientists0 decades
  97. 97Benedetto CroceBenedetto Croce1866–1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics14 decades
  98. 98Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians11 decades
  99. 99Guangxu EmperorGuangxu Emperor1871–1908 · 🇨🇳 China7 decades
  100. 100Lesya UkrainkaLesya Ukrainka1871–1913 · Writers1 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.