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 Chinese books during the 1900s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish17,919German3,582French3,276Italian1,768Spanish1,159Russian236Hebrew106Chinese88
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians66
  2. 2Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers39
  3. 3Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers21
  4. 4Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13
  5. 5Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians12
  6. 6Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians7.5
  7. 7Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians7.1
  8. 8GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers4.1
  9. 9Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3.5
  10. 10LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.9
  11. 11Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.8
  12. 12Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.7
  13. 13Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.78
  14. 14Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.77
  15. 15ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.58
  16. 16Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.52
  17. 17Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.36
  18. 18Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.31
  19. 19Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.18
  20. 20Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.18
  21. 21Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  22. 22Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers0.12
  23. 23Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.12
  24. 24Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.09
  25. 25Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.09
  26. 26Ouyang XiuOuyang Xiu1007–1072 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.09
  27. 27Wang WeiWang Wei699–759 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.08
  28. 28Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.08
  29. 29Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.07
  30. 30Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians0.06
  31. 31Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.06
  32. 32Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.05
  33. 33Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.05
  34. 34Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.05
  35. 35ZengziZengzi504 BC–435 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.04
  36. 36KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.04
  37. 37Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.04
  38. 38YWYang Wanli1127–1206 · 12th century · Writers0.03
  39. 39Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.03
  40. 40Ma ZhiyuanMa Zhiyuan1270–1330 · 14th century · Writers0.03
  41. 41Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.03
  42. 42Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.02
  43. 43Emperor Taizong of TangEmperor Taizong of Tang598–649 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.02
  44. 44Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.02
  45. 45Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.02
  46. 46Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.02
  47. 47Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.02
  48. 48Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.02
  49. 49Chen Zi'angChen Zi'ang661–702 · 7th century · Writers0.02
  50. 50Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.02
  51. 51Bao ZhengBao Zheng999–1062 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.02
  52. 52Guangxu EmperorGuangxu Emperor1871–1908 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China0.02
  53. 53Wu SanguiWu Sangui1612–1678 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.02
  54. 54JSJin Shengtan1610–1661 · 17th century · Writers0.02
  55. 55Wu Cheng'enWu Cheng'en1500–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.02
  56. 56PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.02
  57. 57Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.02
  58. 58Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.02
  59. 59Wu JingziWu Jingzi1701–1754 · 18th century · Writers0.02
  60. 60Wen TongWen Tong1018–1079 · 11th century · Artists0.02
  61. 61FaxianFaxian340–422 · 4th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.02
  62. 62Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.02
  63. 63Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu of Han156 BC–87 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.02
  64. 64Zhang ZhidongZhang Zhidong1837–1909 · 19th century · Politicians<0.01
  65. 65WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists<0.01
  66. 66Zhang XunZhang Xun1854–1923 · 19th century · Politicians<0.01
  67. 67WZWei Zhongxian1568–1627 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians<0.01
  68. 68Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers<0.01
  69. 69Guan YuGuan Yu160–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures<0.01
  70. 70Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists<0.01
  71. 71Cao ZhiCao Zhi192–232 · 3rd century · Historical Figures<0.01
  72. 72LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians<0.01
  73. 73Tang XianzuTang Xianzu1550–1616 · 16th century · Writers<0.01
  74. 74Cai LunCai Lun48–121 · 1st century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists<0.01
  75. 75Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong1334–1400 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers<0.01
  76. 76Xin QijiXin Qiji1140–1207 · 12th century · Writers<0.01
  77. 77Zhang XianzhongZhang Xianzhong1606–1647 · 17th century<0.01
  78. 78MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics<0.01
  79. 79Ruan JiRuan Ji210–263 · 3rd century · Writers<0.01
  80. 80Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians<0.01
  81. 81Zhang JuzhengZhang Juzheng1525–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians<0.01
  82. 82Empress Dowager CixiEmpress Dowager Cixi1835–1908 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures<0.01
  83. 83Ruan YuanRuan Yuan1764–1849 · 18th century · Academics<0.01
  84. 84Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century<0.01
  85. 85HHHuang Huai1367–1449 · 15th century · Writers<0.01
  86. 86Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers<0.01
  87. 87Yuan JieYuan Jie719–772 · 8th century · Writers<0.01
  88. 88Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics<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.