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 Hebrew books during the 1900s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish17,919German3,582French3,276Italian1,768Spanish1,159Russian236Hebrew106Chinese88
  1. 1Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century44
  2. 2HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures14
  3. 3Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers13
  4. 4Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures11
  5. 5Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC8.5
  6. 6HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures8.0
  7. 7SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century7.2
  8. 8Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics7.2
  9. 9Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers6.6
  10. 10NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century5.1
  11. 11Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC4.5
  12. 12Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics3.8
  13. 13SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century3.5
  14. 14SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers3.4
  15. 15Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics3.3
  16. 16Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures2.9
  17. 17Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics2.2
  18. 18Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century2.2
  19. 19Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century2.0
  20. 20JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics2.0
  21. 21JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers1.9
  22. 22Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  23. 23Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics1.5
  24. 24Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics1.4
  25. 25Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians1.3
  26. 26MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century1.3
  27. 27Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.2
  28. 28Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  29. 29Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers1.0
  30. 30ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  31. 31JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.87
  32. 32Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.86
  33. 33YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers0.75
  34. 34Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.73
  35. 35Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.68
  36. 36Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.67
  37. 37Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century0.66
  38. 38JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
  39. 39Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.63
  40. 40HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.62
  41. 41Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.59
  42. 42EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.59
  43. 43JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.56
  44. 44Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.55
  45. 45Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers0.54
  46. 46Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.51
  47. 47Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.42
  48. 48Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.38
  49. 49Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.38
  50. 50Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.34
  51. 51Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.34
  52. 52OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.32
  53. 53MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.31
  54. 54Tzvi AshkenaziTzvi Ashkenazi1660–1718 · 17th century0.30
  55. 55Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.29
  56. 56Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.29
  57. 57PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.28
  58. 58MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.28
  59. 59Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century0.27
  60. 60Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.27
  61. 61Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.25
  62. 62Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.24
  63. 63JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.23
  64. 64JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.23
  65. 65RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.19
  66. 66Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.19
  67. 67IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.19
  68. 68Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.19
  69. 69Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.18
  70. 70BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.16
  71. 71Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.16
  72. 72EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.15
  73. 73IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.15
  74. 74Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.14
  75. 75SOShemariah of Negropont1275–1352 · 14th century · Academics0.12
  76. 76IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.11
  77. 77Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.10
  78. 78IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.09
  79. 79YBYefet ben Ali950–1010 · 10th century · Actors0.08
  80. 80Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.07
  81. 81Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.07
  82. 82NBNissim ben Jacob990–1062 · 11th century · Writers0.06
  83. 83TBTobiah ben Eliezer1080–1150 · 12th century · Actors0.06
  84. 84Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.05
  85. 85Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.05
  86. 86Daniel BombergDaniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.05
  87. 87Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.05
  88. 88CBChananel ben Chushiel990–1053 · 11th century · Actors0.04
  89. 89JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.03
  90. 90Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.03
  91. 91LBLevi ben Abraham ben Hayyimborn 1245 · 13th century · Writers0.03
  92. 92ISIbn Shaprutborn 1400 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.03
  93. 93BHBerechiah ha-Nakdan1200–1300 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.03
  94. 94Rachel, wife of Rabbi AkivaRachel, wife of Rabbi Akivaborn 100 · 2nd century0.03
  95. 95Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians0.03
  96. 96JBJudah ben Barzilai Albargeloni1070–1140 · 12th century0.03
  97. 97ABAbraham ben Samuel ibn Hasdai ha-Levi1180–1240 · 13th century · Writers0.01
  98. 98Joseph ben Judah ibn AkninJoseph ben Judah ibn Aknin1150–1266 · 12th century · Academics0.01
  99. 99Joseph Solomon DelmedigoJoseph Solomon Delmedigo1591–1655 · 17th century · Academics<0.01
  100. 100Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models<0.01

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.