Claim profile
1930–1939

The 1930s

Whose names filled the books of the 1930s — 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 German books during the 1930s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,038German3,654French3,339Italian1,871Spanish1,230Russian581Hebrew118Chinese44
  1. 1Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.6
  2. 2Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany7.6
  3. 3Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.6
  4. 4Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.6
  5. 5Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians6.4
  6. 6NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.7
  7. 7Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.6
  8. 8Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  9. 9William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.0
  10. 10WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.0
  11. 11William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures3.0
  12. 12WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  13. 13William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.0
  14. 14WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  15. 15Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  16. 16William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures3.0
  17. 17Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  18. 18Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century2.8
  19. 19Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century2.8
  20. 20Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  21. 21Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.8
  22. 22Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.8
  23. 23Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.5
  24. 24William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.3
  25. 25William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.3
  26. 26William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  27. 27William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  28. 28WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  29. 29William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  30. 30William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.3
  31. 31William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  32. 32Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.3
  33. 33ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.3
  34. 34Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians1.8
  35. 35Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  36. 36HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.8
  37. 37HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  38. 38Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  39. 39Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.6
  40. 40Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  41. 41John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.6
  42. 42John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  43. 43John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  44. 44John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  45. 45John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  46. 46John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  47. 47John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.5
  48. 48Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.4
  49. 49Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.3
  50. 50William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1.3
  51. 51Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3
  52. 52Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3
  53. 53Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  54. 54Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  55. 55Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  56. 56Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3
  57. 57Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  58. 58Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  59. 59Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.3
  60. 60Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  61. 61Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  62. 62Robert KochRobert Koch1843–1910 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors1.3
  63. 63HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.3
  64. 64Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  65. 65Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  66. 66HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.3
  67. 67HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.3
  68. 68Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  69. 69HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
  70. 70HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  71. 71Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  72. 72William IIIWilliam III1425–1482 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  73. 73WIWilliam III, Count of Weimar1000–1039 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  74. 74William III, Landgrave of HesseWilliam III, Landgrave of Hesse1471–1500 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  75. 75Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.2
  76. 76Frederick William IV of PrussiaFrederick William IV of Prussia1795–1861 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  77. 77Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCharles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians1.2
  78. 78Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians1.1
  79. 79Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  80. 80Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.1
  81. 81Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  82. 82Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.1
  83. 83Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  84. 84Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.1
  85. 85Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.1
  86. 86Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  87. 87Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.1
  88. 88Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.1
  89. 89Frederick William I of PrussiaFrederick William I of Prussia1688–1740 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.1
  90. 90Frederick William I, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-BeckFrederick William I, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck1682–1719 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  91. 91Frederick William, Duke of Mecklenburg-SchwerinFrederick William, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin1675–1713 · 18th century1.1
  92. 92Duke Friedrich Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-WeimarDuke Friedrich Wilhelm I, Duke of Saxe-Weimar1562–1602 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  93. 93Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.1
  94. 94Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  95. 95Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  96. 96TannhäuserTannhäuser1300–1300 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.1
  97. 97Hans SachsHans Sachs1494–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.1
  98. 98Gottfried KellerGottfried Keller1819–1890 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers1.1
  99. 99Henry III of Nassau-BredaHenry III of Nassau-Breda1483–1538 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0
  100. 100HIHenry III, Duke of Mecklenburg1337–1383 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1930s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Salvador DalíSalvador Dalí1904–1989 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists10 decades
  2. 2Alfred HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock1899–1980 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors9 decades
  3. 3J. Robert OppenheimerJ. Robert Oppenheimer1904–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists8 decades
  4. 4Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels1897–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  5. 5Marlene DietrichMarlene Dietrich1901–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors9 decades
  6. 6Ruhollah KhomeiniRuhollah Khomeini1902–1989 · Politicians5 decades
  7. 7Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers10 decades
  8. 8Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers11 decades
  9. 9George OrwellGeorge Orwell1903–1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  10. 10Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  11. 11Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway1899–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  12. 12Pope Paul VIPope Paul VI1897–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures6 decades
  13. 13Heinrich HimmlerHeinrich Himmler1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  14. 14Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  15. 15Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  17. 17George VIGeorge VI1895–1952 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures10 decades
  18. 18Werner HeisenbergWerner Heisenberg1901–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists10 decades
  19. 19Georgy ZhukovGeorgy Zhukov1896–1974 · Politicians6 decades
  20. 20Vladimir NabokovVladimir Nabokov1899–1977 · Writers7 decades
  21. 21Al CaponeAl Capone1899–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States9 decades
  22. 22HirohitoHirohito1901–1989 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures10 decades
  23. 23Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart1897–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  24. 24Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong1901–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  25. 25Enrico FermiEnrico Fermi1901–1954 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists10 decades
  26. 26Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  27. 27Cary GrantCary Grant1904–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  28. 28Erich Maria RemarqueErich Maria Remarque1898–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  29. 29Humphrey BogartHumphrey Bogart1899–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  30. 30Leni RiefenstahlLeni Riefenstahl1902–2003 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors9 decades
  31. 31Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8 decades
  32. 32Gary CooperGary Cooper1901–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  33. 33Karl PopperKarl Popper1902–1994 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics7 decades
  34. 34John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck1902–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  35. 35Clark GableClark Gable1901–1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  36. 36Lavrentiy BeriaLavrentiy Beria1899–1953 · Politicians7 decades
  37. 37C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis1898–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  38. 38Queen Elizabeth The Queen MotherQueen Elizabeth The Queen Mother1900–2002 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures6 decades
  39. 39F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald1896–1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  40. 40Buster KeatonBuster Keaton1895–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  41. 41Reinhard HeydrichReinhard Heydrich1904–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  42. 42John von NeumannJohn von Neumann1903–1957 · Academics4 decades
  43. 43René MagritteRené Magritte1898–1967 · Artists8 decades
  44. 44William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner1897–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  45. 45Martin BormannMartin Bormann1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh1902–1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  47. 47Fred AstaireFred Astaire1899–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  48. 48Enzo FerrariEnzo Ferrari1898–1988 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Athletes10 decades
  49. 49Spencer TracySpencer Tracy1900–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  50. 50Anthony EdenAnthony Eden1897–1977 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians9 decades
  51. 51Juan PerónJuan Perón1895–1974 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians3 decades
  52. 52Bing CrosbyBing Crosby1903–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  53. 53Wallis SimpsonWallis Simpson1896–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  54. 54Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of BurmaLouis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma1900–1979 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Fulgencio BatistaFulgencio Batista1901–1973 · Politicians9 decades
  56. 56Graham GreeneGraham Greene1904–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  57. 57Jean GabinJean Gabin1904–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  58. 58James CagneyJames Cagney1899–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  59. 59Olav V of NorwayOlav V of Norway1903–1991 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures0 decades
  60. 60Gloria SwansonGloria Swanson1899–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  61. 61Yasunari KawabataYasunari Kawabata1899–1972 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers1 decades
  62. 62Georgy MalenkovGeorgy Malenkov1902–1988 · Politicians4 decades
  63. 63Babe RuthBabe Ruth1895–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  64. 64Jiddu KrishnamurtiJiddu Krishnamurti1895–1986 · 🇮🇳 India · Academics1 decades
  65. 65SukarnoSukarno1901–1970 · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians9 decades
  66. 66Umm KulthumUmm Kulthum1898–1975 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Musicians3 decades
  67. 67Leopold III of BelgiumLeopold III of Belgium1901–1983 · Historical Figures1 decades
  68. 68Friedrich HayekFriedrich Hayek1899–1992 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Academics0 decades
  69. 69J. Edgar HooverJ. Edgar Hoover1895–1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  70. 70George GershwinGeorge Gershwin1898–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  71. 71Jean HarlowJean Harlow1911–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  72. 72Umberto II of ItalyUmberto II of Italy1904–1983 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures7 decades
  73. 73Enid BlytonEnid Blyton1897–1968 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers8 decades
  74. 74Paul DiracPaul Dirac1902–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists3 decades
  75. 75Bob HopeBob Hope1903–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians9 decades
  76. 76M. C. EscherM. C. Escher1898–1972 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists2 decades
  77. 77Irène Joliot-CurieIrène Joliot-Curie1897–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  78. 78Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  79. 79Eugene WignerEugene Wigner1902–1995 · Scientists0 decades
  80. 80Vittorio De SicaVittorio De Sica1901–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  81. 81Dr. SeussDr. Seuss1904–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  82. 82Luis BuñuelLuis Buñuel1900–1983 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Directors8 decades
  83. 83Saud of Saudi ArabiaSaud of Saudi Arabia1902–1969 · Historical Figures4 decades
  84. 84Erich FrommErich Fromm1900–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics9 decades
  85. 85Ernst JüngerErnst Jünger1895–1998 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  86. 86Mark RothkoMark Rothko1903–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  87. 87Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  88. 88Konstantin RokossovskyKonstantin Rokossovsky1896–1968 · Politicians5 decades
  89. 89Peter LorrePeter Lorre1904–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  90. 90Ray KrocRay Kroc1902–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  91. 91Theodor W. AdornoTheodor W. Adorno1903–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics8 decades
  92. 92Rudolf HössRudolf Höss1901–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  93. 93Faustina KowalskaFaustina Kowalska1905–1938 · Writers0 decades
  94. 94Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington1899–1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  95. 95Robert JohnsonRobert Johnson1911–1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  96. 96Ngo Dinh DiemNgo Dinh Diem1901–1963 · Politicians0 decades
  97. 97Georges SimenonGeorges Simenon1903–1989 · Writers9 decades
  98. 98Bhagat SinghBhagat Singh1907–1931 · Activists10 decades
  99. 99Nikolai YezhovNikolai Yezhov1895–1940 · Politicians5 decades
  100. 100Hans FrankHans Frank1900–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 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.