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 French books during the 1930s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,038German3,654French3,339Italian1,871Spanish1,230Russian581Hebrew118Chinese44
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers20
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures16
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12
  4. 4Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11
  5. 5StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8.5
  6. 6Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures6.8
  7. 7Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures6.4
  8. 8François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures4.8
  9. 9MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics4.8
  10. 10Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4.4
  11. 11Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France3.5
  12. 12HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France3.4
  13. 13Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.4
  14. 14George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.1
  15. 15Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.1
  16. 16Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  17. 17Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.6
  18. 18Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.6
  19. 19Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.5
  20. 20Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.3
  21. 21Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.1
  22. 22Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics2.1
  23. 23Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  24. 24Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.8
  25. 25Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.8
  26. 26Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  27. 27Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.6
  28. 28Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  29. 29André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  30. 30Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  31. 31Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  32. 32Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  33. 33Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  34. 34André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  35. 35Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.2
  36. 36AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  37. 37Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.2
  38. 38Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.2
  39. 39Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  40. 40Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  41. 41Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  42. 42Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  43. 43Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  44. 44Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  45. 45Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  46. 46Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  47. 47Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.0
  48. 48Vincent AuriolVincent Auriol1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  49. 49Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  50. 50Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.00
  51. 51Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.00
  52. 52Albert LebrunAlbert Lebrun1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.99
  53. 53La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.95
  54. 54Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.93
  55. 55Aristide BriandAristide Briand1862–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.88
  56. 56Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.87
  57. 57Jacques CartierJacques Cartier1491–1557 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.87
  58. 58Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.85
  59. 59NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.84
  60. 60Joseph CaillauxJoseph Caillaux1863–1944 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.82
  61. 61Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.81
  62. 62Louis BarthouLouis Barthou1862–1934 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.80
  63. 63Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.78
  64. 64Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.77
  65. 65Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.76
  66. 66Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.76
  67. 67HOHelladius of Auxerredied 387 · 4th century · Religious Figures0.76
  68. 68Henri de RégnierHenri de Régnier1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.76
  69. 69Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.75
  70. 70Georges DuhamelGeorges Duhamel1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  71. 71Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.73
  72. 72Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.72
  73. 73Henri PirenneHenri Pirenne1862–1935 · 19th century · Writers0.72
  74. 74Margaret of Austria, Duchess of SavoyMargaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy1480–1530 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists0.70
  75. 75Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.69
  76. 76Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.68
  77. 77Jules LemaîtreJules Lemaître1853–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.68
  78. 78André MauroisAndré Maurois1885–1967 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.67
  79. 79François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.66
  80. 80Marie GuyartMarie Guyart1599–1672 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.62
  81. 81Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.61
  82. 82Gaston DoumergueGaston Doumergue1863–1937 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.59
  83. 83Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.59
  84. 84Pierre LotiPierre Loti1850–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.58
  85. 85Henri PoincaréHenri Poincaré1854–1912 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.58
  86. 86Maurice BarrèsMaurice Barrès1862–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  87. 87Pope Clement VPope Clement V1264–1314 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.55
  88. 88Paul DoumerPaul Doumer1857–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.54
  89. 89Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.54
  90. 90Jules RenardJules Renard1864–1910 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  91. 91Charles BaudelaireCharles Baudelaire1821–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  92. 92Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.52
  93. 93Léon BourgeoisLéon Bourgeois1851–1925 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.52
  94. 94René BazinRené Bazin1853–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.51
  95. 95Salomon ReinachSalomon Reinach1858–1932 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.49
  96. 96Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.48
  97. 97Gabriel HanotauxGabriel Hanotaux1853–1944 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.48
  98. 98Ernest RenanErnest Renan1823–1892 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.47
  99. 99Eugène DelacroixEugène Delacroix1798–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.47
  100. 100François VillonFrançois Villon1431–1463 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.47

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.