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 Hebrew books during the 1920s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish19,366German3,585French3,302Italian1,816Spanish1,202Russian535Hebrew109Chinese13
  1. 1Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers15
  2. 2Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century13
  3. 3HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures12
  4. 4Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics8.4
  5. 5HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures7.5
  6. 6Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures5.3
  7. 7Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC5.2
  8. 8Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers4.4
  9. 9SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.1
  10. 10Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC4.0
  11. 11SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century3.7
  12. 12SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers3.7
  13. 13JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics3.6
  14. 14NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century3.5
  15. 15JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers3.4
  16. 16Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures3.1
  17. 17Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics2.4
  18. 18Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics2.0
  19. 19Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers2.0
  20. 20Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  21. 21YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers1.6
  22. 22Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics1.6
  23. 23Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.6
  24. 24Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians1.5
  25. 25Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers1.4
  26. 26Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics1.1
  27. 27Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics1.0
  28. 28Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.99
  29. 29Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century0.90
  30. 30Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.87
  31. 31Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.84
  32. 32Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century0.81
  33. 33JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.80
  34. 34Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.79
  35. 35Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.72
  36. 36Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.70
  37. 37Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century0.68
  38. 38Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.67
  39. 39Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.65
  40. 40Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.64
  41. 41EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.62
  42. 42MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.57
  43. 43Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.57
  44. 44Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.55
  45. 45ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.51
  46. 46Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.50
  47. 47Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.48
  48. 48JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.45
  49. 49JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.44
  50. 50HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.44
  51. 51Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.44
  52. 52Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.41
  53. 53Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.40
  54. 54JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.36
  55. 55Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.33
  56. 56Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.31
  57. 57Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.30
  58. 58Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.29
  59. 59IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.28
  60. 60EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.28
  61. 61BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.26
  62. 62Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.25
  63. 63Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.25
  64. 64Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.24
  65. 65Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.24
  66. 66PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.24
  67. 67Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.23
  68. 68OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.20
  69. 69Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.18
  70. 70MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.17
  71. 71MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.17
  72. 72JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.16
  73. 73JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.15
  74. 74Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.15
  75. 75IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.14
  76. 76IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.14
  77. 77Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.12
  78. 78TBTobiah ben Eliezer1080–1150 · 12th century · Actors0.11
  79. 79Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.10
  80. 80Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.10
  81. 81Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.10
  82. 82RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.07
  83. 83Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.06
  84. 84Judah ben David HayyujJudah ben David Hayyuj945–1000 · 10th century · Writers0.06
  85. 85BHBerechiah ha-Nakdan1200–1300 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.05
  86. 86Rachel, wife of Rabbi AkivaRachel, wife of Rabbi Akivaborn 100 · 2nd century0.05
  87. 87Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740–1809 · 18th century · Musicians0.04
  88. 88YBYefet ben Ali950–1010 · 10th century · Actors0.04
  89. 89Joseph ben Judah ibn AkninJoseph ben Judah ibn Aknin1150–1266 · 12th century · Academics0.04
  90. 90Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.04
  91. 91Abraham GoldfadenAbraham Goldfaden1840–1908 · 19th century · Writers0.03
  92. 92Ben SiraBen Sira300 BC–150 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.03
  93. 93Daniel BombergDaniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.03
  94. 94Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.03
  95. 95Tzvi AshkenaziTzvi Ashkenazi1660–1718 · 17th century0.03
  96. 96NBNissim ben Jacob990–1062 · 11th century · Writers0.03
  97. 97JIJudah ibn Kuraish850–1000 · 9th century · Writers0.03
  98. 98CBChananel ben Chushiel990–1053 · 11th century · Actors0.02
  99. 99ISIbn Shaprutborn 1400 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.02
  100. 100Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.02

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.