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 English books during the 1930s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,038German3,654French3,339Italian1,871Spanish1,230Russian581Hebrew118Chinese44
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures25
  2. 2HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers8.8
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.5
  4. 4AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics6.8
  5. 5AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6.2
  6. 6George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6.0
  7. 7CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.8
  8. 8Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.6
  9. 9VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers4.0
  10. 10SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.6
  11. 11Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.5
  12. 12EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.3
  13. 13AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC2.0
  14. 14Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians2.0
  15. 15Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.0
  16. 16Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures2.0
  17. 17Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.9
  18. 18Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.9
  19. 19OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.8
  20. 20Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.8
  21. 21Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.8
  22. 22PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.7
  23. 23CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.7
  24. 24Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.6
  25. 25William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.6
  26. 26PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.5
  27. 27J. P. MorganJ. P. Morgan1837–1913 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.5
  28. 28EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  29. 29HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.4
  30. 30CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.4
  31. 31John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.3
  32. 32RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.3
  33. 33Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.2
  34. 34John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.2
  35. 35Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.2
  36. 36Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.2
  37. 37Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.2
  38. 38John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.2
  39. 39HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.1
  40. 40Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.1
  41. 41Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.1
  42. 42HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  43. 43Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.1
  44. 44Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  45. 45George VGeorge V1865–1936 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.1
  46. 46John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century1.1
  47. 47Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.1
  48. 48Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians1.1
  49. 49Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century1.1
  50. 50CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.1
  51. 51Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century1.1
  52. 52LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  53. 53Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century1.1
  54. 54SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.1
  55. 55James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century1.1
  56. 56BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1.0
  57. 57SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.0
  58. 58William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1.0
  59. 59William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders1.0
  60. 60Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.99
  61. 61Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover1874–1964 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.97
  62. 62Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.97
  63. 63PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.96
  64. 64GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.96
  65. 65HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century0.93
  66. 66Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century0.93
  67. 67Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians0.93
  68. 68HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.93
  69. 69Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.92
  70. 70AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.91
  71. 71John DayJohn Day1522–1584 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom0.89
  72. 72LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.89
  73. 73Horace MannHorace Mann1796–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.88
  74. 74John MarshallJohn Marshall1755–1835 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.87
  75. 75Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.86
  76. 76DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.83
  77. 77John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.82
  78. 78John HancockJohn Hancock1737–1793 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.80
  79. 79Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.80
  80. 80Edward VIIEdward VII1841–1910 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.79
  81. 81John DeweyJohn Dewey1859–1952 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.79
  82. 82OsceolaOsceola1804–1838 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.78
  83. 83XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.77
  84. 84John WesleyJohn Wesley1703–1791 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics0.77
  85. 85ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.76
  86. 86James II, Count of UrgellJames II, Count of Urgell1388–1433 · 15th century0.75
  87. 87George PeabodyGeorge Peabody1795–1869 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.75
  88. 88TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.75
  89. 89PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.74
  90. 90Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.74
  91. 91Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.74
  92. 92Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.74
  93. 93Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.74
  94. 94HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.74
  95. 95Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.74
  96. 96Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.74
  97. 97Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.74
  98. 98Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.74
  99. 99Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.74

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.