Claim profile
1920–1929

The 1920s

Whose names filled the books of the 1920s — 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 1920s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish19,366German3,585French3,302Italian1,816Spanish1,202Russian535Hebrew109Chinese13
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures30
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers8.5
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics6.8
  4. 4AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics6.3
  5. 5AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6.2
  6. 6CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians5.2
  7. 7Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.4
  8. 8George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.6
  9. 9VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.6
  10. 10SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.5
  11. 11Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.7
  12. 12EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.4
  13. 13AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC2.3
  14. 14Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.1
  15. 15Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures2.1
  16. 16Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians2.1
  17. 17WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists2.1
  18. 18PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.9
  19. 19PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.8
  20. 20Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  21. 21William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.7
  22. 22Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  23. 23OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  24. 24Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.6
  25. 25CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.6
  26. 26HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.6
  27. 27CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.5
  28. 28Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.5
  29. 29Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  30. 30EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  31. 31RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.3
  32. 32John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.3
  33. 33Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  34. 34Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.2
  35. 35Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  36. 36Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.2
  37. 37HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  38. 38Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.2
  39. 39Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.2
  40. 40HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.2
  41. 41John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.2
  42. 42GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors1.1
  43. 43Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover1874–1964 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  44. 44PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.1
  45. 45LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  46. 46John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  47. 47William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1.1
  48. 48SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.1
  49. 49SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.1
  50. 50John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century1.0
  51. 51Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.0
  52. 52Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.0
  53. 53HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.99
  54. 54Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.97
  55. 55BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.97
  56. 56Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.96
  57. 57Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.96
  58. 58CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.96
  59. 59Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.96
  60. 60Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.96
  61. 61Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.96
  62. 62Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.95
  63. 63John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.93
  64. 64Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.92
  65. 65Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.91
  66. 66Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.91
  67. 67Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.91
  68. 68Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.91
  69. 69Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.91
  70. 70Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.91
  71. 71Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.91
  72. 72Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.91
  73. 73HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.91
  74. 74Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.91
  75. 75Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.91
  76. 76Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century0.91
  77. 77AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.91
  78. 78William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders0.90
  79. 79Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.87
  80. 80DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.87
  81. 81Henry III, Duke of GłogówHenry III, Duke of Głogów1251–1309 · 13th century · Politicians0.87
  82. 82Henry III, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry III, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1542–1587 · 16th century0.87
  83. 83Henry III, Holy Roman EmperorHenry III, Holy Roman Emperor1016–1056 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.87
  84. 84Henry III, Count of LouvainHenry III, Count of Louvain1060–1095 · 11th century · Politicians0.87
  85. 85Henry III, Count of Schauenburg-HolsteinHenry III, Count of Schauenburg-Holstein1370–1421 · 15th century0.87
  86. 86Henry III, Margrave of Baden-HachbergHenry III, Margrave of Baden-Hachberg1300–1330 · 14th century · Models0.87
  87. 87HIHenry III, Count of Luxembourg1070–1096 · 11th century · Historical Figures0.87
  88. 88Henry III, Count of GoriziaHenry III, Count of Gorizia1263–1323 · 13th century0.87
  89. 89Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France0.82
  90. 90James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century0.82
  91. 91XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.82
  92. 92James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century0.82
  93. 93John Russell, 1st Earl of BedfordJohn Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford1485–1555 · 16th century · Politicians0.81
  94. 94Matthew ArnoldMatthew Arnold1822–1888 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.81
  95. 95TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.81
  96. 96George VGeorge V1865–1936 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.80
  97. 97Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.80
  98. 98H. G. WellsH. G. Wells1866–1946 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.80
  99. 99HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors0.79
  100. 100ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.79

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1920s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians10 decades
  2. 2Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13 decades
  3. 3Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades
  4. 4Charlie ChaplinCharlie Chaplin1889–1977 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Comedians11 decades
  5. 5Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev1894–1971 · Politicians10 decades
  6. 6Chiang Kai-shekChiang Kai-shek1887–1975 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Agatha ChristieAgatha Christie1890–1976 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  8. 8J. R. R. TolkienJ. R. R. Tolkien1892–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  9. 9Francisco FrancoFrancisco Franco1892–1975 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians9 decades
  10. 10Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower1890–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  11. 11Hermann GöringHermann Göring1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  12. 12Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov1891–1940 · Writers8 decades
  13. 13Le CorbusierLe Corbusier1887–1965 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects10 decades
  14. 14Josip Broz TitoJosip Broz Tito1892–1980 · Activists8 decades
  15. 15Erwin RommelErwin Rommel1891–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8 decades
  16. 16Martin HeideggerMartin Heidegger1889–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 decades
  17. 17Edward VIIIEdward VIII1894–1972 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures9 decades
  18. 18Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh1890–1969 · Politicians8 decades
  19. 19Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci1891–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics9 decades
  20. 20Ludwig WittgensteinLudwig Wittgenstein1889–1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics8 decades
  21. 21Haile SelassieHaile Selassie1892–1975 · Historical Figures0 decades
  22. 22Niels BohrNiels Bohr1885–1962 · Scientists10 decades
  23. 23Vyacheslav MolotovVyacheslav Molotov1890–1986 · Politicians7 decades
  24. 24H. P. LovecraftH. P. Lovecraft1890–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  25. 25Aldous HuxleyAldous Huxley1894–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  26. 26Marc ChagallMarc Chagall1887–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  27. 27Rudolf HessRudolf Hess1894–1987 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians9 decades
  28. 28David Ben-GurionDavid Ben-Gurion1886–1973 · Politiciansnot measured—
  29. 29Karl DönitzKarl Dönitz1891–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  30. 30Erwin SchrödingerErwin Schrödinger1887–1961 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists11 decades
  31. 31Alfonso XIII of SpainAlfonso XIII of Spain1886–1941 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures7 decades
  32. 32Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von Ribbentrop1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  33. 33Diego RiveraDiego Rivera1886–1957 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Designers14 decades
  34. 34António de Oliveira SalazarAntónio de Oliveira Salazar1889–1970 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Politicians0 decades
  35. 35T. E. LawrenceT. E. Lawrence1888–1935 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics10 decades
  36. 36Srinivasa RamanujanSrinivasa Ramanujan1887–1920 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics0 decades
  37. 37George S. PattonGeorge S. Patton1885–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  38. 38Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru1889–1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians10 decades
  39. 39Bernard MontgomeryBernard Montgomery1887–1976 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  40. 40Ezra PoundEzra Pound1885–1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  41. 41Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  42. 42Ryūnosuke AkutagawaRyūnosuke Akutagawa1892–1927 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  43. 43Groucho MarxGroucho Marx1890–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians9 decades
  44. 44Rudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino1895–1926 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors10 decades
  45. 45T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot1888–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  46. 46Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · Writers11 decades
  47. 47Harold MacmillanHarold Macmillan1894–1986 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians9 decades
  48. 48Ernst RöhmErnst Röhm1887–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  49. 49Walter BenjaminWalter Benjamin1892–1940 · Academics10 decades
  50. 50Boris PasternakBoris Pasternak1890–1960 · Writers0 decades
  51. 51John FordJohn Ford1894–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors13 decades
  52. 52Heinz GuderianHeinz Guderian1888–1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  53. 53Mae WestMae West1893–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  54. 54Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · Writers11 decades
  55. 55Erich von MansteinErich von Manstein1887–1973 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7 decades
  56. 56D. H. LawrenceD. H. Lawrence1885–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers11 decades
  57. 57Alfred RosenbergAlfred Rosenberg1893–1946 · Politicians10 decades
  58. 58Joan MiróJoan Miró1893–1983 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists9 decades
  59. 59Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe1887–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists9 decades
  60. 60Maximilian KolbeMaximilian Kolbe1894–1941 · Academics1 decades
  61. 61Vidkun QuislingVidkun Quisling1887–1945 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Politicians1 decades
  62. 62Friedrich PaulusFriedrich Paulus1890–1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7 decades
  63. 63Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  64. 64Mary PickfordMary Pickford1892–1979 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors11 decades
  65. 65Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  66. 66J. Paul GettyJ. Paul Getty1892–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  67. 67Eugene O'NeillEugene O'Neill1888–1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  68. 68C. V. RamanC. V. Raman1888–1970 · 🇮🇳 India · Scientists0 decades
  69. 69Sergei ProkofievSergei Prokofiev1891–1953 · Musicians9 decades
  70. 70Fernando PessoaFernando Pessoa1888–1935 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Writers8 decades
  71. 71Fritz LangFritz Lang1890–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors9 decades
  72. 72Padre PioPadre Pio1887–1968 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures7 decades
  73. 73Henry MillerHenry Miller1891–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers13 decades
  74. 74Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · Writers10 decades
  75. 75Dale CarnegieDale Carnegie1888–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  76. 76Chester W. NimitzChester W. Nimitz1885–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures8 decades
  77. 77Colonel SandersColonel Sanders1890–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0 decades
  78. 78Nestor MakhnoNestor Makhno1888–1934 · Activists7 decades
  79. 79Edith SteinEdith Stein1891–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics10 decades
  80. 80Raymond ChandlerRaymond Chandler1888–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  81. 81Alfred JodlAlfred Jodl1890–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  82. 82Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · Writers11 decades
  83. 83Stan LaurelStan Laurel1890–1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  84. 84Walter UlbrichtWalter Ulbricht1893–1973 · Politicians9 decades
  85. 85Julius StreicherJulius Streicher1885–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  86. 86Lillian GishLillian Gish1893–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  87. 87Arthur Seyss-InquartArthur Seyss-Inquart1892–1946 · Politicians7 decades
  88. 88Max ErnstMax Ernst1891–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists12 decades
  89. 89Ip ManIp Man1893–1972 · 🇨🇳 Chinanot measured—
  90. 90Princess Alice of BattenbergPrincess Alice of Battenberg1885–1969 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0 decades
  91. 91Ernst ThälmannErnst Thälmann1886–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  92. 92Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  93. 93Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey1887–1940 · Founders10 decades
  94. 94Nikolai BukharinNikolai Bukharin1888–1938 · Politicians5 decades
  95. 95Mikhail TukhachevskyMikhail Tukhachevsky1893–1937 · Politicians7 decades
  96. 96Rafael TrujilloRafael Trujillo1891–1961 · Politicians9 decades
  97. 97Charles I of AustriaCharles I of Austria1887–1922 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures14 decades
  98. 98Faisal I of IraqFaisal I of Iraq1885–1933 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Politicians0 decades
  99. 99Man RayMan Ray1890–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists10 decades
  100. 100Oliver HardyOliver Hardy1892–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians5 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.