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 Spanish books during the 1900s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish17,919German3,582French3,276Italian1,768Spanish1,159Russian236Hebrew106Chinese88
  1. 1John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal11
  2. 2Francisco de VillagraFrancisco de Villagra1511–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures6.4
  3. 3Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.3
  4. 4Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians4.6
  5. 5Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers4.4
  6. 6Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians3.8
  7. 7JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.9
  8. 8Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.7
  9. 9Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians2.2
  10. 10Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.1
  11. 11Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures2.0
  12. 12Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians2.0
  13. 13Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers2.0
  14. 14Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.9
  15. 15Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.9
  16. 16Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.7
  17. 17John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.7
  18. 18Pedro de VillagraPedro de Villagra1513–1577 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.6
  19. 19Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  20. 20Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.5
  21. 21Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  22. 22João SerrãoJoão Serrão1500–1521 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.4
  23. 23Rodrigo de QuirogaRodrigo de Quiroga1512–1580 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.3
  24. 24Cipriano CastroCipriano Castro1858–1924 · 19th century · Politicians1.3
  25. 25Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.3
  26. 26Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.3
  27. 27Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.2
  28. 28John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.1
  29. 29Antonio Cánovas del CastilloAntonio Cánovas del Castillo1828–1897 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  30. 30Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.1
  31. 31Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.0
  32. 32Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians1.0
  33. 33Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.98
  34. 34RecceswinthRecceswinthdied 672 · 7th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.98
  35. 35Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.94
  36. 36Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.93
  37. 37Rubén DaríoRubén Darío1867–1916 · 20th century · Writers0.92
  38. 38Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.91
  39. 39Juan BravoJuan Bravo1483–1521 · 16th century · Politicians0.91
  40. 40Ambrosio de MoralesAmbrosio de Morales1513–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.89
  41. 41María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.88
  42. 42Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.84
  43. 43Manuel MonttManuel Montt1809–1880 · 19th century · Politicians0.83
  44. 44Ángel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of RivasÁngel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of Rivas1791–1865 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.78
  45. 45Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.76
  46. 46John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.75
  47. 47Emilia Pardo BazánEmilia Pardo Bazán1851–1921 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.74
  48. 48Concepción Arenal PonteConcepción Arenal Ponte1820–1893 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.71
  49. 49Marcelino Menéndez y PelayoMarcelino Menéndez y Pelayo1856–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.68
  50. 50Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.68
  51. 51LDLope de Aguirre1510–1561 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.66
  52. 52Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers0.66
  53. 53Antonio MauraAntonio Maura1853–1925 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.65
  54. 54Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.64
  55. 55Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.62
  56. 56Alonso CanoAlonso Cano1601–1667 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.61
  57. 57Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century0.61
  58. 58Manuel QuintanaManuel Quintana1835–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.60
  59. 59Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.60
  60. 60Ramón de la CruzRamón de la Cruz1731–1794 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.60
  61. 61Manuel OribeManuel Oribe1792–1857 · 19th century · Politicians0.58
  62. 62José EchegarayJosé Echegaray1832–1916 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.58
  63. 63Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.57
  64. 64Antonio de UlloaAntonio de Ulloa1716–1795 · 18th century · Writers0.57
  65. 65Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.56
  66. 66Diego de RojasDiego de Rojas1500–1544 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.55
  67. 67Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.55
  68. 68Francisco PachecoFrancisco Pacheco1564–1644 · 16th century · Artists0.54
  69. 69García Fernández of CastileGarcía Fernández of Castile938–995 · 10th century · Politicians0.54
  70. 70Carlos PellegriniCarlos Pellegrini1846–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists0.54
  71. 71Martín Ruiz de GamboaMartín Ruiz de Gamboa1533–1590 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.53
  72. 72Juan de RiberaJuan de Ribera1532–1611 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.53
  73. 73García Hurtado de Mendoza, 5th Marquis of CañeteGarcía Hurtado de Mendoza, 5th Marquis of Cañete1535–1609 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.53
  74. 74Alonso RodriguezAlonso Rodriguez1526–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.52
  75. 75Fernán CaballeroFernán Caballero1796–1877 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.52
  76. 76JDJuan de Ayolas1500–1537 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.52
  77. 77Emilio CastelarEmilio Castelar1832–1899 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.52
  78. 78Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians0.51
  79. 79José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.50
  80. 80Eduardo DatoEduardo Dato1856–1921 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.48
  81. 81Thomas of VillanovaThomas of Villanova1488–1555 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.47
  82. 82Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.47
  83. 83Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.47
  84. 84Fructuoso RiveraFructuoso Rivera1784–1854 · 19th century · Politicians0.46
  85. 85Tomás Estrada PalmaTomás Estrada Palma1835–1908 · 19th century · Politicians0.45
  86. 86José HernándezJosé Hernández1834–1886 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.44
  87. 87Juan de HerreraJuan de Herrera1530–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects0.44
  88. 88Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.44
  89. 89Mateo AlemánMateo Alemán1547–1614 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.44
  90. 90Juan de OrtegaJuan de Ortega1480–1568 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.43
  91. 91Isidore of SevilleIsidore of Seville560–636 · 6th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.42
  92. 92Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.42
  93. 93José CanalejasJosé Canalejas1854–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.41
  94. 94Alonso de ErcillaAlonso de Ercilla1533–1595 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.41
  95. 95Pedro Calderón de la BarcaPedro Calderón de la Barca1600–1681 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.41
  96. 96Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.40
  97. 97Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.40
  98. 98Juan de CastroJuan de Castro1431–1506 · 15th century0.39
  99. 99Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.39
  100. 100Sor Juana Inés de la CruzSor Juana Inés de la Cruz1651–1695 · 17th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers0.39

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. 13Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  14. 14Roald AmundsenRoald Amundsen1872–1928 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures12 decades
  15. 15Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling1865–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  16. 16H. G. WellsH. G. Wells1866–1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  17. 17Bertrand RussellBertrand Russell1872–1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics13 decades
  18. 18Harry HoudiniHarry Houdini1874–1926 · Actors7 decades
  19. 19Neville ChamberlainNeville Chamberlain1869–1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians16 decades
  20. 20Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover1874–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  21. 21Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright1867–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Architects12 decades
  22. 22Sergei RachmaninoffSergei Rachmaninoff1873–1943 · Musicians8 decades
  23. 23Calvin CoolidgeCalvin Coolidge1872–1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  24. 24G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton1874–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  25. 25Warren G. HardingWarren G. Harding1865–1923 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  26. 26Victor Emmanuel III of ItalyVictor Emmanuel III of Italy1869–1947 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures8 decades
  27. 27Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter1866–1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  28. 28Haakon VII of NorwayHaakon VII of Norway1872–1957 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures0 decades
  29. 29Józef PiłsudskiJózef Piłsudski1867–1935 · Politicians3 decades
  30. 30Maria MontessoriMaria Montessori1870–1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Doctors12 decades
  31. 31Ernest ShackletonErnest Shackleton1874–1922 · Historical Figures11 decades
  32. 32Laura Ingalls WilderLaura Ingalls Wilder1867–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  33. 33W. E. B. Du BoisW. E. B. Du Bois1868–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics12 decades
  34. 34W. Somerset MaughamW. Somerset Maugham1874–1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0 decades
  35. 35W. B. YeatsW. B. Yeats1865–1939 · Writers12 decades
  36. 36Alexandra FeodorovnaAlexandra Feodorovna1872–1918 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0 decades
  37. 37Jules RimetJules Rimet1873–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Lawyers3 decades
  38. 38Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  39. 39Mary of TeckMary of Teck1867–1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  40. 40Gertrude SteinGertrude Stein1874–1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  41. 41ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  42. 42Erich LudendorffErich Ludendorff1865–1937 · Politicians10 decades
  43. 43Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi1874–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists13 decades
  44. 44Emma GoldmanEmma Goldman1869–1940 · Journalists12 decades
  45. 45Carl Gustaf Emil MannerheimCarl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim1867–1951 · Politicians0 decades
  46. 46Natsume SōsekiNatsume Sōseki1867–1916 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  47. 47Piet MondrianPiet Mondrian1872–1944 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists7 decades
  48. 48Fritz HaberFritz Haber1868–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  49. 49Alexander KolchakAlexander Kolchak1874–1920 · Politicians4 decades
  50. 50André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  51. 51Ernest RutherfordErnest Rutherford1871–1937 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Scientists12 decades
  52. 52Alfred AdlerAlfred Adler1870–1937 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics11 decades
  53. 53Robert FrostRobert Frost1874–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  54. 54Lucy Maud MontgomeryLucy Maud Montgomery1874–1942 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Writers3 decades
  55. 55Jean SibeliusJean Sibelius1865–1957 · Musicians0 decades
  56. 56Friedrich EbertFriedrich Ebert1871–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  57. 57Maud of WalesMaud of Wales1869–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1 decades
  58. 58Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · Politicians11 decades
  59. 59Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  60. 60Howard CarterHoward Carter1874–1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics12 decades
  61. 61Albert FishAlbert Fish1870–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  62. 62Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  63. 63Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  64. 64Constantine I of GreeceConstantine I of Greece1868–1923 · Historical Figures0 decades
  65. 65Miklós HorthyMiklós Horthy1868–1957 · Politicians1 decades
  66. 66Robert Falcon ScottRobert Falcon Scott1868–1912 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures3 decades
  67. 67Gertrude BellGertrude Bell1868–1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  68. 68Christian X of DenmarkChristian X of Denmark1870–1947 · Historical Figures0 decades
  69. 69Karl LiebknechtKarl Liebknecht1871–1919 · Politicians11 decades
  70. 70George GurdjieffGeorge Gurdjieff1866–1949 · Academics0 decades
  71. 71Stanley BaldwinStanley Baldwin1867–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians10 decades
  72. 72Margaret BrownMargaret Brown1867–1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors16 decades
  73. 73Pietro BadoglioPietro Badoglio1871–1956 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  74. 74Enrico CarusoEnrico Caruso1873–1921 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians12 decades
  75. 75Scott JoplinScott Joplin1868–1917 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  76. 76Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers13 decades
  77. 77Alexander ScriabinAlexander Scriabin1871–1915 · Musicians3 decades
  78. 78Arnold SchoenbergArnold Schoenberg1874–1951 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Musicians11 decades
  79. 79Abdulmejid IIAbdulmejid II1868–1944 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Artistsnot measured—
  80. 80Aurobindo GhoshAurobindo Ghosh1872–1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics4 decades
  81. 81Miguel Primo de RiveraMiguel Primo de Rivera1870–1930 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Emilio AguinaldoEmilio Aguinaldo1869–1964 · Politicians13 decades
  83. 83Maria GorettiMaria Goretti1890–1902 · 🇮🇹 Italynot measured—
  84. 84Magnus HirschfeldMagnus Hirschfeld1868–1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors12 decades
  85. 85Talaat PashaTalaat Pasha1874–1921 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians5 decades
  86. 86Sai Baba of ShirdiSai Baba of Shirdidied 1918not measured—
  87. 87Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists12 decades
  88. 88Alexandra KollontaiAlexandra Kollontai1872–1952 · Politicians7 decades
  89. 89Anton DenikinAnton Denikin1872–1947 · Writers3 decades
  90. 90Ramsay MacDonaldRamsay MacDonald1866–1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians12 decades
  91. 91Mary MallonMary Mallon1869–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdomnot measured—
  92. 92Gustav HolstGustav Holst1874–1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians7 decades
  93. 93Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  94. 94Alberto Santos-DumontAlberto Santos-Dumont1873–1932 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Scientists0 decades
  95. 95Benedetto CroceBenedetto Croce1866–1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics14 decades
  96. 96Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians11 decades
  97. 97Guangxu EmperorGuangxu Emperor1871–1908 · 🇨🇳 China7 decades
  98. 98Lesya UkrainkaLesya Ukrainka1871–1913 · Writers1 decades
  99. 99Grazia DeleddaGrazia Deledda1871–1936 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers13 decades
  100. 100Albert LebrunAlbert Lebrun1871–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 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.