Claim profile
1940–1949

The 1940s

Whose names filled the books of the 1940s — 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 1940s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,288German3,531French3,290Italian1,866Spanish1,287Russian599Hebrew133Chinese45
  1. 1NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6.8
  2. 2Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6.8
  3. 3Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6.8
  4. 4Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany6.8
  5. 5Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6.8
  6. 6Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians6.1
  7. 7Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5.7
  8. 8ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors5.6
  9. 9Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4.2
  10. 10Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.1
  11. 11Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.1
  12. 12Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.1
  13. 13Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.1
  14. 14Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.1
  15. 15Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.1
  16. 16Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.8
  17. 17Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.5
  18. 18Gottfried KellerGottfried Keller1819–1890 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers2.2
  19. 19WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  20. 20Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  21. 21William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.2
  22. 22Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  23. 23WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.2
  24. 24William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.2
  25. 25William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.2
  26. 26WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  27. 27William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.2
  28. 28Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCharles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians2.1
  29. 29Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians2.1
  30. 30HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  31. 31Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  32. 32HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.0
  33. 33Jacob BurckhardtJacob Burckhardt1818–1897 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers2.0
  34. 34Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.9
  35. 35William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  36. 36William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.8
  37. 37William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.8
  38. 38Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.8
  39. 39William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  40. 40WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  41. 41William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  42. 42William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  43. 43William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century1.8
  44. 44Rudolf SteinerRudolf Steiner1861–1925 · 19th century · Writers1.8
  45. 45John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.7
  46. 46Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  47. 47John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  48. 48John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  49. 49John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.7
  50. 50John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  51. 51John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  52. 52John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.7
  53. 53Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  54. 54HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.4
  55. 55Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  56. 56Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  57. 57HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.4
  58. 58HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.4
  59. 59HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  60. 60HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.4
  61. 61Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  62. 62Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.4
  63. 63Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians1.4
  64. 64William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1.3
  65. 65Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3
  66. 66Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.3
  67. 67Frederick William IV of PrussiaFrederick William IV of Prussia1795–1861 · 19th century · Politicians1.3
  68. 68Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.2
  69. 69Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  70. 70Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  71. 71Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.2
  72. 72Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.2
  73. 73Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.2
  74. 74Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  75. 75Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.2
  76. 76Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.2
  77. 77Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  78. 78Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.2
  79. 79Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1662–1731 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  80. 80Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-BevernAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  81. 81Henry III of Nassau-BredaHenry III of Nassau-Breda1483–1538 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  82. 82HIHenry III, Duke of Mecklenburg1337–1383 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  83. 83HIHenry III, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1300–1307 · 14th century · Religious Figures1.2
  84. 84HIHenry III, Duke of Bavaria940–989 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  85. 85HIHenry III, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1416–1464 · 15th century1.2
  86. 86Henry III, Duke of LimburgHenry III, Duke of Limburg1167–1221 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  87. 87Henry III, Landgrave of Upper HesseHenry III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse1440–1483 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.2
  88. 88Henry III, Count of SaynHenry III, Count of Sayn1193–1247 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  89. 89Henry IIIHenry III1215–1288 · 13th century · Writers1.2
  90. 90Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  91. 91Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  92. 92Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.2
  93. 93Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.2
  94. 94Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.2
  95. 95Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  96. 96Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.2
  97. 97Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  98. 98Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.2
  99. 99Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  100. 100Hermann GöringHermann Göring1893–1946 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.2

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1940s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Frida KahloFrida Kahlo1907–1954 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Artists8 decades
  2. 2Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  3. 3Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan1911–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians9 decades
  4. 4Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev1906–1982 · Politicians7 decades
  5. 5Anne FrankAnne Frank1929–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors7 decades
  6. 6Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians11 decades
  7. 7Pope John Paul IPope John Paul I1912–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2 decades
  8. 8Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  9. 9Alan TuringAlan Turing1912–1954 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics4 decades
  10. 10Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  11. 11Richard NixonRichard Nixon1913–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  12. 12Mother TeresaMother Teresa1910–1997 · Musicians9 decades
  13. 13Hannah ArendtHannah Arendt1906–1975 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades
  14. 14Rosa ParksRosa Parks1913–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  15. 15Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  16. 16Yuri AndropovYuri Andropov1914–1984 · Politicians4 decades
  17. 17Salvador AllendeSalvador Allende1908–1973 · Politicians11 decades
  18. 18John WayneJohn Wayne1907–1979 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  19. 19Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · Politicians8 decades
  20. 20Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson1908–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  21. 21Katharine HepburnKatharine Hepburn1907–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  22. 22Gerald FordGerald Ford1913–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6 decades
  23. 23Ayn RandAyn Rand1905–1982 · Writers3 decades
  24. 24Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès1914–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  25. 25Astrid LindgrenAstrid Lindgren1907–2002 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers6 decades
  26. 26Dmitri ShostakovichDmitri Shostakovich1906–1975 · Musicians8 decades
  27. 27Wernher von BraunWernher von Braun1912–1977 · Scientists7 decades
  28. 28Adolf EichmannAdolf Eichmann1906–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  29. 29Josephine BakerJosephine Baker1906–1975 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  30. 30Hedy LamarrHedy Lamarr1914–2000 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Actors3 decades
  31. 31Henry FondaHenry Fonda1905–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  32. 32Konstantin ChernenkoKonstantin Chernenko1911–1985 · Politicians4 decades
  33. 33Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  34. 34Samuel BeckettSamuel Beckett1906–1989 · Writers7 decades
  35. 35Akira KurosawaAkira Kurosawa1910–1998 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Directors6 decades
  36. 36Eva BraunEva Braun1912–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists8 decades
  37. 37Vivien LeighVivien Leigh1913–1967 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  38. 38James StewartJames Stewart1908–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors12 decades
  39. 39Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  40. 40Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  41. 41PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures8 decades
  42. 42Greta GarboGreta Garbo1905–1990 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors10 decades
  43. 43Ian FlemingIan Fleming1908–1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  44. 44Bette DavisBette Davis1908–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  45. 45Enver HoxhaEnver Hoxha1908–1985 · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Oskar SchindlerOskar Schindler1908–1974 · Founders4 decades
  47. 47Josef MengeleJosef Mengele1911–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Doctors4 decades
  48. 48Albert SpeerAlbert Speer1905–1981 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Architects9 decades
  49. 49Jackson PollockJackson Pollock1912–1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists7 decades
  50. 50Aristotle OnassisAristotle Onassis1906–1975 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Founders6 decades
  51. 51Claus von StauffenbergClaus von Stauffenberg1907–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany4 decades
  52. 52Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier1907–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  53. 53Milton FriedmanMilton Friedman1912–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics9 decades
  54. 54Joan CrawfordJoan Crawford1905–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors10 decades
  55. 55Howard HughesHoward Hughes1905–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists9 decades
  56. 56Burt LancasterBurt Lancaster1913–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  57. 57Alec GuinnessAlec Guinness1914–2000 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  58. 58Gene KellyGene Kelly1912–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  59. 59Jesse OwensJesse Owens1913–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes9 decades
  60. 60Viktor FranklViktor Frankl1905–1997 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Doctors6 decades
  61. 61Stepan BanderaStepan Bandera1909–1959 · Politicians1 decades
  62. 62Edward TellerEdward Teller1908–2003 · Scientists8 decades
  63. 63Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8 decades
  64. 64Barbara StanwyckBarbara Stanwyck1907–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  65. 65Errol FlynnErrol Flynn1909–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  66. 66Tenzing NorgayTenzing Norgay1914–1986 · Historical Figures3 decades
  67. 67Faisal of Saudi ArabiaFaisal of Saudi Arabia1906–1975 · Historical Figures2 decades
  68. 68Tennessee WilliamsTennessee Williams1911–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  69. 69Christian DiorChristian Dior1905–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers8 decades
  70. 70Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  71. 71Nelson Aldrich RockefellerNelson Aldrich Rockefeller1908–1979 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians8 decades
  72. 72Kurt GödelKurt Gödel1906–1978 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics5 decades
  73. 73William S. BurroughsWilliam S. Burroughs1914–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  74. 74Ginger RogersGinger Rogers1911–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  75. 75Dietrich BonhoefferDietrich Bonhoeffer1906–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8 decades
  76. 76Billy WilderBilly Wilder1906–2002 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  77. 77Osamu DazaiOsamu Dazai1909–1948 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  78. 78Joseph McCarthyJoseph McCarthy1908–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  79. 79Elia KazanElia Kazan1909–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  80. 80David NivenDavid Niven1910–1983 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  81. 81Robert A. HeinleinRobert A. Heinlein1907–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  82. 82Vincent PriceVincent Price1911–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  83. 83James CallaghanJames Callaghan1912–2005 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians8 decades
  84. 84Tove JanssonTove Jansson1914–2001 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  85. 85John HustonJohn Huston1906–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors12 decades
  86. 86Burgess MeredithBurgess Meredith1907–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  87. 87Robert WadlowRobert Wadlow1918–1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0 decades
  88. 88Kwame NkrumahKwame Nkrumah1909–1972 · Politicians7 decades
  89. 89Julia ChildJulia Child1912–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  90. 90Otto von HabsburgOtto von Habsburg1912–2011 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  91. 91Woody GuthrieWoody Guthrie1912–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  92. 92Otto SkorzenyOtto Skorzeny1908–1975 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Scientists6 decades
  93. 93Simo HäyhäSimo Häyhä1905–2002 · Historical Figures0 decades
  94. 94Lucille BallLucille Ball1911–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  95. 95Baba VangaBaba Vanga1911–19960 decades
  96. 96Sergei KorolevSergei Korolev1906–1966 · Scientists6 decades
  97. 97Sayyid QutbSayyid Qutb1906–1966 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Activists4 decades
  98. 98Carole LombardCarole Lombard1908–1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  99. 99Dag HammarskjöldDag Hammarskjöld1905–1961 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians7 decades
  100. 100Daphne du MaurierDaphne du Maurier1907–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 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.