Claim profile
1910–1919

The 1910s

Whose names filled the books of the 1910s — 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 1910s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish18,564German3,547French3,207Italian1,774Spanish1,162Russian306Hebrew110Chinese12
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures32
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers7.5
  3. 3AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6.4
  4. 4PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics5.2
  5. 5AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.7
  6. 6CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.5
  7. 7Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.4
  8. 8VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.0
  9. 9George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.6
  10. 10SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics2.6
  11. 11Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.3
  12. 12EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.1
  13. 13PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers2.0
  14. 14AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC2.0
  15. 15Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.9
  16. 16Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.9
  17. 17Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.9
  18. 18William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.9
  19. 19CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.7
  20. 20PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.5
  21. 21Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  22. 22John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.4
  23. 23Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  24. 24Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.4
  25. 25OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.4
  26. 26John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.3
  27. 27HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.3
  28. 28Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.3
  29. 29Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.3
  30. 30Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
  31. 31Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.3
  32. 32Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  33. 33HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  34. 34Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.3
  35. 35HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.3
  36. 36EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  37. 37RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.2
  38. 38CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.2
  39. 39Frederick William, Elector of HesseFrederick William, Elector of Hesse1802–1875 · 19th century1.1
  40. 40Frederick WilliamFrederick William1601–1625 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.1
  41. 41Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  42. 42SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.1
  43. 43OsceolaOsceola1804–1838 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  44. 44John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures1.1
  45. 45Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  46. 46PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.0
  47. 47J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.0
  48. 48LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.0
  49. 49John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century1.0
  50. 50BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.99
  51. 51John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.99
  52. 52Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France0.95
  53. 53Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.95
  54. 54Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.94
  55. 55Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.94
  56. 56HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.94
  57. 57Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.94
  58. 58Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century0.94
  59. 59Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.94
  60. 60Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.94
  61. 61Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.94
  62. 62Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.94
  63. 63Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.94
  64. 64Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.94
  65. 65Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.94
  66. 66SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.94
  67. 67William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.93
  68. 68Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century0.92
  69. 69Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.92
  70. 70HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures0.92
  71. 71Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models0.92
  72. 72Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians0.92
  73. 73Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century0.92
  74. 74Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century0.92
  75. 75Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians0.92
  76. 76DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.92
  77. 77Leland StanfordLeland Stanford1824–1893 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.91
  78. 78Bonar LawBonar Law1858–1923 · 19th century · 🇨🇦 Canada · Politicians0.91
  79. 79HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century0.90
  80. 80Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians0.90
  81. 81Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century0.90
  82. 82HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.88
  83. 83George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.88
  84. 84XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.86
  85. 85GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.84
  86. 86AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.84
  87. 87Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics0.82
  88. 88Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer1820–1903 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics0.82
  89. 89OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.81
  90. 90William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders0.81
  91. 91Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.81
  92. 92James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century0.81
  93. 93Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France0.81
  94. 94Matthew ArnoldMatthew Arnold1822–1888 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.80
  95. 95William II, Landgrave of HesseWilliam II, Landgrave of Hesse1469–1509 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.80
  96. 96WIWilliam II, Count of Burgundy1075–1125 · 12th century0.80
  97. 97William II, Count of FlandersWilliam II, Count of Flanders1224–1251 · 13th century · Politicians0.80
  98. 98WIWilliam II, Duke of Apulia1095–1127 · 12th century0.80
  99. 99WIWilliam II, Marquess of Montferrat950–961 · 10th century0.80

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1910s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · Politicians9 decades
  2. 2Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein1879–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  3. 3Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  4. 4Pablo PicassoPablo Picasso1881–1973 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists10 decades
  5. 5Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt1882–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  6. 6Franz KafkaFranz Kafka1883–1924 · Writers11 decades
  7. 7Leon TrotskyLeon Trotsky1879–1940 · Activists10 decades
  8. 8Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  9. 9Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer1876–1967 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  10. 10Mustafa Kemal AtatürkMustafa Kemal Atatürk1881–1938 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians2 decades
  11. 11Pope John XXIIIPope John XXIII1881–1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures14 decades
  12. 12Carl JungCarl Jung1875–1961 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers8 decades
  13. 13Pope Pius XIIPope Pius XII1876–1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures8 decades
  14. 14Hermann HesseHermann Hesse1877–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  15. 15Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf1882–1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman1884–1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  17. 17Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria Rilke1875–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  18. 18Coco ChanelCoco Chanel1883–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers6 decades
  19. 19Stefan ZweigStefan Zweig1881–1942 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers12 decades
  20. 20Helen KellerHelen Keller1880–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  21. 21Jack LondonJack London1876–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers12 decades
  22. 22Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  23. 23James JoyceJames Joyce1882–1941 · Writers12 decades
  24. 24Mata HariMata Hari1876–1917 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands10 decades
  25. 25Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  26. 26John Maynard KeynesJohn Maynard Keynes1883–1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics10 decades
  27. 27Eleanor RooseveltEleanor Roosevelt1884–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  28. 28Felix DzerzhinskyFelix Dzerzhinsky1877–1926 · Activists10 decades
  29. 29Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur1880–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures10 decades
  30. 30Khalil GibranKhalil Gibran1883–1931 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers5 decades
  31. 31Gavrilo PrincipGavrilo Princip1894–1918 · Activists3 decades
  32. 32Alexander FlemingAlexander Fleming1881–1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists8 decades
  33. 33Reza ShahReza Shah1878–1944 · Politicians10 decades
  34. 34Jeanne CalmentJeanne Calment1875–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  35. 35Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley1875–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  36. 36Ibn SaudIbn Saud1876–1953 · Historical Figures10 decades
  37. 37Hideki TojoHideki Tojo1884–1948 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians7 decades
  38. 38Clement AttleeClement Attlee1883–1967 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians8 decades
  39. 39Franz von PapenFranz von Papen1879–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  40. 40Wilhelm KeitelWilhelm Keitel1882–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  41. 41Isoroku YamamotoIsoroku Yamamoto1884–1943 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures3 decades
  42. 42Pancho VillaPancho Villa1878–1923 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists12 decades
  43. 43Isadora DuncanIsadora Duncan1877–1927 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writersnot measured—
  44. 44Emiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata1879–1919 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists12 decades
  45. 45George MarshallGeorge Marshall1880–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians14 decades
  46. 46Albert SchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer1875–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors12 decades
  47. 47Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia1901–1918 · Historical Figures11 decades
  48. 48Mohammad MosaddeghMohammad Mosaddegh1882–1967 · Politicians0 decades
  49. 49Enver PashaEnver Pasha1881–1922 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians11 decades
  50. 50Syngman RheeSyngman Rhee1875–1965 · Politicians8 decades
  51. 51Manfred von RichthofenManfred von Richthofen1892–1918 · Historical Figures7 decades
  52. 52Wilhelmina of the NetherlandsWilhelmina of the Netherlands1880–1962 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  53. 53Amedeo ModiglianiAmedeo Modigliani1884–1920 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists10 decades
  54. 54Muhammad Ali JinnahMuhammad Ali Jinnah1876–1948 · Politicians8 decades
  55. 55Alexander KerenskyAlexander Kerensky1881–1970 · Politicians9 decades
  56. 56Albert I of BelgiumAlbert I of Belgium1875–1934 · Historical Figures0 decades
  57. 57Vallabhbhai PatelVallabhbhai Patel1875–1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians9 decades
  58. 58Gustaf VI Adolf of SwedenGustaf VI Adolf of Sweden1882–1973 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  59. 59Egon SchieleEgon Schiele1890–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists10 decades
  60. 60Max BornMax Born1882–1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists9 decades
  61. 61Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 🇨🇳 China · Writers13 decades
  62. 62İsmet İnönüİsmet İnönü1884–1973 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  63. 63Bela LugosiBela Lugosi1882–1956 · Actors6 decades
  64. 64Getúlio VargasGetúlio Vargas1882–1954 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Politicians7 decades
  65. 65Gerd von RundstedtGerd von Rundstedt1875–1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6 decades
  66. 66A. A. MilneA. A. Milne1882–1956 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  67. 67Mileva MarićMileva Marić1875–1948 · Academics0 decades
  68. 68Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · Politicians10 decades
  69. 69Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  70. 70Paul KleePaul Klee1879–1940 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists11 decades
  71. 71Gustav StresemannGustav Stresemann1878–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  72. 72Edgar Rice BurroughsEdgar Rice Burroughs1875–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  73. 73Ferdinand PorscheFerdinand Porsche1875–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  74. 74E. M. ForsterE. M. Forster1879–1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  75. 75Abdullah I of JordanAbdullah I of Jordan1882–1951 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0 decades
  76. 76Semyon BudyonnySemyon Budyonny1883–1973 · Politicians9 decades
  77. 77Kurt von SchleicherKurt von Schleicher1882–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  78. 78Éamon de ValeraÉamon de Valera1882–1975 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1 decades
  79. 79Emperor TaishōEmperor Taishō1879–1926 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures0 decades
  80. 80Lise MeitnerLise Meitner1878–1968 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists12 decades
  81. 81Muhammad IqbalMuhammad Iqbal1877–1938 · Academics4 decades
  82. 82Oswald SpenglerOswald Spengler1880–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  83. 83Hjalmar SchachtHjalmar Schacht1877–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  84. 84Cecil B. DeMilleCecil B. DeMille1881–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  85. 85Grigory ZinovievGrigory Zinoviev1883–1936 · Activists3 decades
  86. 86Symon PetliuraSymon Petliura1879–1926 · Politicians7 decades
  87. 87Béla BartókBéla Bartók1881–1945 · Musicians4 decades
  88. 88Edward HopperEdward Hopper1882–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists10 decades
  89. 89P. G. WodehouseP. G. Wodehouse1881–1975 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers11 decades
  90. 90Walter GropiusWalter Gropius1883–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Architects11 decades
  91. 91Napoleon HillNapoleon Hill1883–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  92. 92Anna PavlovaAnna Pavlova1882–1931 · Actors12 decades
  93. 93Kazimir MalevichKazimir Malevich1879–1935 · Artists4 decades
  94. 94Lev KamenevLev Kamenev1883–1936 · Activists4 decades
  95. 95Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · Writers13 decades
  96. 96Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · Historical Figures11 decades
  97. 97Douglas FairbanksDouglas Fairbanks1883–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors11 decades
  98. 98Ion AntonescuIon Antonescu1882–1946 · Politicians5 decades
  99. 99Prince Andrew of Greece and DenmarkPrince Andrew of Greece and Denmark1882–1944not measured—
  100. 100François DarlanFrançois Darlan1881–1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—

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.