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 French books during the 1920s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish19,366German3,585French3,302Italian1,816Spanish1,202Russian535Hebrew109Chinese13
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers22
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures19
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers17
  4. 4Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12
  5. 5StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11
  6. 6Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures8.4
  7. 7Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7.8
  8. 8MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics5.5
  9. 9François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures5.1
  10. 10Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France5.0
  11. 11Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4.9
  12. 12George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4.0
  13. 13Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.9
  14. 14Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.8
  15. 15HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France3.7
  16. 16Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.7
  17. 17Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.1
  18. 18Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.9
  19. 19Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.3
  20. 20Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.3
  21. 21Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.3
  22. 22Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.1
  23. 23Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  24. 24Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  25. 25Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.9
  26. 26Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.9
  27. 27Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  28. 28Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  29. 29Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.6
  30. 30Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  31. 31Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  32. 32Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  33. 33Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  34. 34Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  35. 35André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  36. 36Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  37. 37Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.4
  38. 38Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  39. 39Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  40. 40Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.3
  41. 41Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  42. 42Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  43. 43Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  44. 44Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  45. 45Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  46. 46André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  47. 47Maurice BarrèsMaurice Barrès1862–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  48. 48Léon BourgeoisLéon Bourgeois1851–1925 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.2
  49. 49Jules LemaîtreJules Lemaître1853–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  50. 50Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  51. 51Henri de RégnierHenri de Régnier1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  52. 52Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  53. 53Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  54. 54Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.1
  55. 55Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  56. 56Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  57. 57Pierre LotiPierre Loti1850–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.00
  58. 58Vincent AuriolVincent Auriol1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.95
  59. 59Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.94
  60. 60Augustin ThierryAugustin Thierry1795–1856 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.89
  61. 61Paul AdamPaul Adam1862–1920 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.88
  62. 62Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.87
  63. 63Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.86
  64. 64NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.86
  65. 65Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.84
  66. 66HOHelladius of Auxerredied 387 · 4th century · Religious Figures0.81
  67. 67Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.79
  68. 68Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.78
  69. 69Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.78
  70. 70Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.78
  71. 71Henri PoincaréHenri Poincaré1854–1912 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.76
  72. 72Salomon ReinachSalomon Reinach1858–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  73. 73Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  74. 74Prosper MériméeProsper Mérimée1803–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  75. 75Paul VerlainePaul Verlaine1844–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.72
  76. 76Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.71
  77. 77Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.70
  78. 78Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.70
  79. 79Louis BarthouLouis Barthou1862–1934 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.70
  80. 80La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.68
  81. 81Remy de GourmontRemy de Gourmont1858–1915 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.67
  82. 82Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.67
  83. 83Charles NodierCharles Nodier1780–1844 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.65
  84. 84Théodore de BanvilleThéodore de Banville1823–1891 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.64
  85. 85Paul DoumerPaul Doumer1857–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.63
  86. 86César FranckCésar Franck1822–1890 · 19th century · Musicians0.63
  87. 87Marcel PrévostMarcel Prévost1862–1941 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
  88. 88Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.63
  89. 89Claude MonetClaude Monet1840–1926 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.63
  90. 90Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.63
  91. 91Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.63
  92. 92Sully PrudhommeSully Prudhomme1839–1907 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  93. 93Sacha GuitrySacha Guitry1885–1957 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  94. 94Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.62
  95. 95Jules RenardJules Renard1864–1910 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.60
  96. 96Edmond RostandEdmond Rostand1868–1918 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.60
  97. 97Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.58
  98. 98François CoppéeFrançois Coppée1842–1908 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.57
  99. 99Charles, Duke of OrléansCharles, Duke of Orléans1394–1465 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  100. 100Edmond de GoncourtEdmond de Goncourt1822–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.54

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. 58Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe1887–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists9 decades
  59. 59Joan MiróJoan Miró1893–1983 · 🇪🇸 Spain · 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. 70Fritz LangFritz Lang1890–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors9 decades
  71. 71Fernando PessoaFernando Pessoa1888–1935 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Writers8 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.