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 Russian books during the 1930s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,038German3,654French3,339Italian1,871Spanish1,230Russian581Hebrew118Chinese44
  1. 1Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.6
  2. 2Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians2.1
  3. 3Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.9
  4. 4Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  5. 5Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models1.6
  6. 6Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers1.6
  7. 7Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians1.5
  8. 8Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures1.4
  9. 9Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.2
  10. 10Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians1.1
  11. 11Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures1.0
  12. 12Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.0
  13. 13Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.99
  14. 14Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.95
  15. 15Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.92
  16. 16Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.89
  17. 17Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians0.87
  18. 18Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.85
  19. 19Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.82
  20. 20Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.82
  21. 21Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.80
  22. 22Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.80
  23. 23Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.78
  24. 24Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.77
  25. 25Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.72
  26. 26Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.68
  27. 27Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.57
  28. 28Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.56
  29. 29Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.55
  30. 30Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.52
  31. 31Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.51
  32. 32Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers0.50
  33. 33Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.50
  34. 34Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.49
  35. 35Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.48
  36. 36Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.48
  37. 37Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.47
  38. 38Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.45
  39. 39Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.41
  40. 40Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.40
  41. 41Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.39
  42. 42Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  43. 43Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.37
  44. 44Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · 19th century · Writers0.37
  45. 45Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.33
  46. 46Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.33
  47. 47Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.31
  48. 48Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.30
  49. 49Sergey KirovSergey Kirov1886–1934 · 20th century · Politicians0.29
  50. 50Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.29
  51. 51Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.28
  52. 52Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  53. 53Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.28
  54. 54Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.28
  55. 55Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · 20th century · Politicians0.28
  56. 56Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.25
  57. 57Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.23
  58. 58Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.23
  59. 59Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.22
  60. 60Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.21
  61. 61Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.21
  62. 62Felix DzerzhinskyFelix Dzerzhinsky1877–1926 · 20th century · Activists0.20
  63. 63Nikolay ChernyshevskyNikolay Chernyshevsky1828–1889 · 19th century · Writers0.20
  64. 64Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.19
  65. 65Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.19
  66. 66Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.18
  67. 67Mikhail BakuninMikhail Bakunin1814–1876 · 19th century · Activists0.18
  68. 68Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.17
  69. 69Béla KunBéla Kun1886–1938 · 20th century · Activists0.16
  70. 70Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.16
  71. 71Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  72. 72Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.16
  73. 73Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.16
  74. 74Alexander RadishchevAlexander Radishchev1749–1802 · 18th century · Writers0.15
  75. 75Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.15
  76. 76Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · 19th century · Scientists0.13
  77. 77Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.13
  78. 78Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.13
  79. 79Alexander BestuzhevAlexander Bestuzhev1797–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.13
  80. 80Vera FignerVera Figner1852–1942 · 19th century · Activists0.13
  81. 81Modest MussorgskyModest Mussorgsky1839–1881 · 19th century · Musicians0.12
  82. 82Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.12
  83. 83Mikhail FrunzeMikhail Frunze1885–1925 · 20th century · Politicians0.12
  84. 84Lazar KaganovichLazar Kaganovich1893–1991 · 20th century · Politicians0.12
  85. 85Nikolai GeNikolai Ge1831–1894 · 19th century · Artists0.12
  86. 86Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.12
  87. 87Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.12
  88. 88Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · 20th century · Politicians0.12
  89. 89Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.12
  90. 90Alexander KarpinskyAlexander Karpinsky1846–1936 · 19th century · Academics0.11
  91. 91Ivan MichurinIvan Michurin1855–1935 · 19th century · Scientists0.11
  92. 92Nikita PaninNikita Panin1718–1783 · 18th century · Politicians0.11
  93. 93HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.10
  94. 94Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.10
  95. 95Faddey BulgarinFaddey Bulgarin1789–1859 · 19th century · Writers0.10
  96. 96Anna PavlovaAnna Pavlova1882–1931 · 20th century · Actors0.10
  97. 97Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.10
  98. 98Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.09
  99. 99Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.09
  100. 100Pyotr PaninPyotr Panin1721–1789 · 18th century0.09

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.