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 Russian books during the 1900s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish17,919German3,582French3,276Italian1,768Spanish1,159Russian236Hebrew106Chinese88
  1. 1Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers4.1
  2. 2Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures3.2
  3. 3Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.8
  4. 4Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.4
  5. 5Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers1.2
  6. 6Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians1.2
  7. 7Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians1.1
  8. 8Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians1.1
  9. 9Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.0
  10. 10Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.95
  11. 11Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.89
  12. 12Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.81
  13. 13Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.73
  14. 14Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.73
  15. 15Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.65
  16. 16Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.61
  17. 17Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.56
  18. 18Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.54
  19. 19Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.51
  20. 20Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.47
  21. 21Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.46
  22. 22Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians0.43
  23. 23Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.41
  24. 24Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.40
  25. 25Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.36
  26. 26Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.35
  27. 27Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.35
  28. 28Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.34
  29. 29Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.34
  30. 30Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.34
  31. 31Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.32
  32. 32Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.31
  33. 33Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.29
  34. 34Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.25
  35. 35Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.25
  36. 36Stefan YavorskyStefan Yavorsky1658–1722 · 17th century · Academics0.24
  37. 37Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.20
  38. 38Dimitry of RostovDimitry of Rostov1651–1709 · 17th century · Writers0.19
  39. 39Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.19
  40. 40Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.18
  41. 41Konstantin AksakovKonstantin Aksakov1817–1860 · 19th century · Writers0.18
  42. 42Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.18
  43. 43Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  44. 44Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.17
  45. 45Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.17
  46. 46Grand Duke Dimitri Constantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Dimitri Constantinovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.16
  47. 47Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.15
  48. 48Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.13
  49. 49Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.13
  50. 50Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.13
  51. 51Ivan AksakovIvan Aksakov1823–1886 · 19th century · Writers0.12
  52. 52Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.12
  53. 53Nikolai GogolNikolai Gogol1809–1852 · 19th century · Writers0.12
  54. 54Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.11
  55. 55Nikita PaninNikita Panin1718–1783 · 18th century · Politicians0.11
  56. 56Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.10
  57. 57Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.10
  58. 58Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.10
  59. 59Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.09
  60. 60Modest MussorgskyModest Mussorgsky1839–1881 · 19th century · Musicians0.09
  61. 61Peter Ivanovich ShuvalovPeter Ivanovich Shuvalov1711–1762 · 18th century · Politicians0.09
  62. 62Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.09
  63. 63Sophia PerovskayaSophia Perovskaya1853–1881 · 19th century · Activists0.08
  64. 64Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.08
  65. 65Peter II of RussiaPeter II of Russia1715–1730 · 18th century · Politicians0.07
  66. 66Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.07
  67. 67Maksim KovalevskyMaksim Kovalevsky1851–1916 · 19th century · Academics0.07
  68. 68Vasily Vasilyevich GolitsynVasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn1643–1714 · 17th century · Politicians0.07
  69. 69Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.07
  70. 70Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.07
  71. 71Catherine I of RussiaCatherine I of Russia1684–1727 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.07
  72. 72Mikhail of TverMikhail of Tver1271–1318 · 14th century · Politicians0.07
  73. 73Nikolay MikhaylovskyNikolay Mikhaylovsky1842–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.06
  74. 74Seraphim of SarovSeraphim of Sarov1754–1833 · 18th century0.06
  75. 75Sofia KovalevskayaSofia Kovalevskaya1850–1891 · 19th century · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics0.06
  76. 76Olga Constantinovna of RussiaOlga Constantinovna of Russia1851–1926 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.06
  77. 77Aleksandr KuprinAleksandr Kuprin1870–1938 · 20th century · Writers0.06
  78. 78Alexander MenshikovAlexander Menshikov1673–1729 · 18th century · Politicians0.05
  79. 79Pyotr Andreyevich TolstoyPyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy1645–1729 · 17th century · Writers0.05
  80. 80Anton RubinsteinAnton Rubinstein1829–1894 · 19th century · Musicians0.05
  81. 81Konstantin LeontievKonstantin Leontiev1831–1891 · 19th century · Academics0.05
  82. 82Kirill RazumovskyKirill Razumovsky1728–1803 · 18th century · Politicians0.05
  83. 83Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia1856–1929 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.05
  84. 84Ivan Ivanovich ShuvalovIvan Ivanovich Shuvalov1727–1797 · 18th century · Writers0.05
  85. 85Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.05
  86. 86Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.05
  87. 87Alexander Stepanovich PopovAlexander Stepanovich Popov1859–1905 · 19th century · Scientists0.05
  88. 88Kuzma MininKuzma Minindied 1616 · 17th century · Politicians0.04
  89. 89Nikolay KaramzinNikolay Karamzin1766–1826 · 19th century · Writers0.04
  90. 90Nikolai BerdyaevNikolai Berdyaev1874–1948 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.04
  91. 91DZDaniil Zatochnik1101–1299 · 12th century · Writers0.04
  92. 92Basil Fool for ChristBasil Fool for Christ1468–1552 · 16th century0.04
  93. 93Alexander ShishkovAlexander Shishkov1754–1841 · 18th century · Writers0.04
  94. 94Luka ZhidiataLuka Zhidiatadied 1059 · 11th century0.04
  95. 95Vasily ZhukovskyVasily Zhukovsky1783–1852 · 19th century · Writers0.04
  96. 96Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.03
  97. 97Pyotr VyazemskyPyotr Vyazemsky1792–1878 · 19th century · Writers0.03
  98. 98Tikhon of ZadonskTikhon of Zadonsk1724–1783 · 18th century · Religious Figures0.03
  99. 99Pavel NakhimovPavel Nakhimov1802–1855 · 19th century0.03
  100. 100Vasily TatishchevVasily Tatishchev1686–1750 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.03

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.