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 Spanish books during the 1930s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,038German3,654French3,339Italian1,871Spanish1,230Russian581Hebrew118Chinese44
  1. 1John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal7.7
  2. 2Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers7.7
  3. 3Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.2
  4. 4Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians3.9
  5. 5Rubén DaríoRubén Darío1867–1916 · 20th century · Writers3.4
  6. 6Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.3
  7. 7Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures3.0
  8. 8Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians3.0
  9. 9Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.8
  10. 10Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.7
  11. 11JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.5
  12. 12Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.5
  13. 13Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians2.2
  14. 14José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.0
  15. 15Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.9
  16. 16Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.8
  17. 17Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.8
  18. 18Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.7
  19. 19Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers1.7
  20. 20Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  21. 21Roque Sáenz PeñaRoque Sáenz Peña1851–1914 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.6
  22. 22Florentino AmeghinoFlorentino Ameghino1853–1911 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Academics1.6
  23. 23Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  24. 24John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.6
  25. 25Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  26. 26Carlos Saavedra LamasCarlos Saavedra Lamas1878–1959 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.4
  27. 27Gabriela MistralGabriela Mistral1889–1957 · 20th century · Writers1.4
  28. 28Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  29. 29Nuño de GuzmánNuño de Guzmán1490–1544 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.3
  30. 30Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.3
  31. 31Carlos PellegriniCarlos Pellegrini1846–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists1.2
  32. 32Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.2
  33. 33Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.2
  34. 34John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.2
  35. 35Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists1.2
  36. 36Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.2
  37. 37Tomás Estrada PalmaTomás Estrada Palma1835–1908 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  38. 38Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.2
  39. 39Juan MontalvoJuan Montalvo1832–1889 · 19th century · Writers1.2
  40. 40Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.1
  41. 41Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.1
  42. 42Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.1
  43. 43Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists1.1
  44. 44Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians1.1
  45. 45Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.0
  46. 46Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.0
  47. 47Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.0
  48. 48Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.0
  49. 49Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.0
  50. 50Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.99
  51. 51Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.99
  52. 52Nicolás AvellanedaNicolás Avellaneda1837–1885 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists0.98
  53. 53Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.96
  54. 54José HernándezJosé Hernández1834–1886 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.94
  55. 55Fructuoso RiveraFructuoso Rivera1784–1854 · 19th century · Politicians0.94
  56. 56Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.91
  57. 57Juan Bautista AlberdiJuan Bautista Alberdi1810–1884 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.91
  58. 58Manuel MonttManuel Montt1809–1880 · 19th century · Politicians0.85
  59. 59María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.85
  60. 60Justo José de UrquizaJusto José de Urquiza1801–1870 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.84
  61. 61Juan Vicente GómezJuan Vicente Gómez1857–1935 · 19th century · Politicians0.82
  62. 62Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.82
  63. 63José Antonio PáezJosé Antonio Páez1790–1873 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.81
  64. 64Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.81
  65. 65Victoriano HuertaVictoriano Huerta1850–1916 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.79
  66. 66Sor Juana Inés de la CruzSor Juana Inés de la Cruz1651–1695 · 17th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers0.78
  67. 67Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.77
  68. 68García Fernández of CastileGarcía Fernández of Castile938–995 · 10th century · Politicians0.76
  69. 69Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.76
  70. 70Marcelino Menéndez y PelayoMarcelino Menéndez y Pelayo1856–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.75
  71. 71Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.75
  72. 72Francisco de VitoriaFrancisco de Vitoria1480–1546 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.74
  73. 73Manuel AzañaManuel Azaña1880–1940 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.73
  74. 74Antonio MachadoAntonio Machado1875–1939 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.73
  75. 75Manuel OribeManuel Oribe1792–1857 · 19th century · Politicians0.72
  76. 76Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto1500–1542 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.70
  77. 77Emiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata1879–1919 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.70
  78. 78Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century0.69
  79. 79Francisco de Montejo y LeónFrancisco de Montejo y León1479–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.65
  80. 80Juan Ramón JiménezJuan Ramón Jiménez1881–1958 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.65
  81. 81Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · 19th century · Politicians0.64
  82. 82José Ortega y GassetJosé Ortega y Gasset1883–1955 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.64
  83. 83Fernán CaballeroFernán Caballero1796–1877 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.61
  84. 84Ramón de la CruzRamón de la Cruz1731–1794 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.60
  85. 85John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.60
  86. 86Francisco de Paula SantanderFrancisco de Paula Santander1792–1840 · 19th century · Politicians0.59
  87. 87Rose of LimaRose of Lima1586–1617 · 17th century · Religious Figures0.59
  88. 88Esteban Echeverría MamaniEsteban Echeverría Mamani1805–1851 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.58
  89. 89Pancho VillaPancho Villa1878–1923 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.58
  90. 90Francisco de MirandaFrancisco de Miranda1750–1816 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.58
  91. 91Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.57
  92. 92Diego de LandaDiego de Landa1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.56
  93. 93Rafael UrdanetaRafael Urdaneta1788–1845 · 19th century · Politicians0.55
  94. 94Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.55
  95. 95Rafael NúñezRafael Núñez1825–1894 · 19th century · Writers0.54
  96. 96Juan de CastellanosJuan de Castellanos1522–1607 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.53
  97. 97Vicente GuerreroVicente Guerrero1782–1831 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.52
  98. 98Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.52
  99. 99Juan de HerreraJuan de Herrera1530–1597 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Architects0.52
  100. 100Hipólito YrigoyenHipólito Yrigoyen1850–1933 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.50

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.