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 French books during the 1940s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,288German3,531French3,290Italian1,866Spanish1,287Russian599Hebrew133Chinese45
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers19
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures14
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13
  4. 4StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12
  5. 5Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10
  6. 6MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7.3
  7. 7Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures6.1
  8. 8Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5.6
  9. 9Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France4.6
  10. 10HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France4.1
  11. 11Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4.1
  12. 12François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures4.1
  13. 13Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.5
  14. 14Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.4
  15. 15Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.2
  16. 16George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.2
  17. 17Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.8
  18. 18Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  19. 19André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.6
  20. 20Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.5
  21. 21Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.3
  22. 22Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.2
  23. 23Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.2
  24. 24Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  25. 25Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  26. 26Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.0
  27. 27Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  28. 28Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.9
  29. 29Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  30. 30Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  31. 31Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.6
  32. 32Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.6
  33. 33Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.6
  34. 34Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  35. 35Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  36. 36AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.5
  37. 37Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.5
  38. 38Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  39. 39Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  40. 40Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.1
  41. 41Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  42. 42Henri de RégnierHenri de Régnier1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  43. 43La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors1.1
  44. 44François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  45. 45JDJean de Montreuil1354–1418 · 14th century · Politicians1.1
  46. 46Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  47. 47Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  48. 48Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  49. 49Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  50. 50Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.00
  51. 51Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.95
  52. 52Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.94
  53. 53Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.94
  54. 54Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.90
  55. 55Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.89
  56. 56Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.89
  57. 57Georges DuhamelGeorges Duhamel1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.89
  58. 58Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.88
  59. 59Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.88
  60. 60Jules RenardJules Renard1864–1910 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.88
  61. 61Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.86
  62. 62HOHelladius of Auxerredied 387 · 4th century · Religious Figures0.85
  63. 63Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.84
  64. 64Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.82
  65. 65Toussaint LouvertureToussaint Louverture1743–1803 · 18th century · Politicians0.81
  66. 66Jacques MaritainJacques Maritain1882–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.81
  67. 67Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.80
  68. 68André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.78
  69. 69Gabriel MarcelGabriel Marcel1889–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.78
  70. 70Stéphane MallarméStéphane Mallarmé1842–1898 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.77
  71. 71Jacques CartierJacques Cartier1491–1557 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.76
  72. 72Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  73. 73Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.73
  74. 74Louis de BroglieLouis de Broglie1892–1987 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0.72
  75. 75Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.71
  76. 76Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.71
  77. 77André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.71
  78. 78Jean GiraudouxJean Giraudoux1882–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.70
  79. 79Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.69
  80. 80Alain-FournierAlain-Fournier1886–1914 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.68
  81. 81Vincent AuriolVincent Auriol1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.67
  82. 82NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.65
  83. 83Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.63
  84. 84Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.63
  85. 85Henri BergsonHenri Bergson1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.63
  86. 86André MauroisAndré Maurois1885–1967 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  87. 87Jean EudesJean Eudes1601–1680 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.62
  88. 88Jules LemaîtreJules Lemaître1853–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.61
  89. 89Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.61
  90. 90Anne of BrittanyAnne of Brittany1477–1514 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France0.60
  91. 91César FranckCésar Franck1822–1890 · 19th century · Musicians0.60
  92. 92Robert SchumanRobert Schuman1886–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.58
  93. 93Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.58
  94. 94Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  95. 95Sacha GuitrySacha Guitry1885–1957 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  96. 96Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.56
  97. 97Peter FourierPeter Fourier1565–1640 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  98. 98Eugène SueEugène Sue1804–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.54
  99. 99Vincent d'IndyVincent d'Indy1851–1931 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.54
  100. 100Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.54

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.