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 Italian books during the 1940s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,288German3,531French3,290Italian1,866Spanish1,287Russian599Hebrew133Chinese45
  1. 1GiottoGiotto1267–1337 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.0
  2. 2Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri1265–1321 · 14th century · Writers3.3
  3. 3Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.1
  4. 4Benedetto CroceBenedetto Croce1866–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics3.0
  5. 5CaravaggioCaravaggio1571–1610 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.8
  6. 6Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects2.8
  7. 7DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · 15th century · Artists2.7
  8. 8Antonio da CorreggioAntonio da Correggio1489–1534 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.6
  9. 9Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.5
  10. 10Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists2.4
  11. 11Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.3
  12. 12MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.0
  13. 13Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · 19th century · Writers1.9
  14. 14TintorettoTintoretto1519–1594 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  15. 15Filippo TuratiFilippo Turati1857–1932 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.7
  16. 16Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  17. 17Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · 15th century · Politicians1.6
  18. 18Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.6
  19. 19Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  20. 20Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  21. 21Bernardino of SienaBernardino of Siena1380–1444 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.5
  22. 22Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno1548–1600 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.5
  23. 23Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures1.5
  24. 24Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.4
  25. 25Torquato TassoTorquato Tasso1544–1595 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.4
  26. 26FarinelliFarinelli1705–1782 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.4
  27. 27Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei1564–1642 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.4
  28. 28Bettino RicasoliBettino Ricasoli1809–1880 · 19th century · Politicians1.3
  29. 29Philip NeriPhilip Neri1515–1595 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.3
  30. 30PetrarchPetrarch1304–1374 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.2
  31. 31Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  32. 32Marco MinghettiMarco Minghetti1818–1886 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  33. 33Francesco CrispiFrancesco Crispi1818–1901 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.1
  34. 34Vittoria ColonnaVittoria Colonna1492–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.0
  35. 35Charles BorromeoCharles Borromeo1538–1584 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.0
  36. 36Piero della FrancescaPiero della Francesca1415–1492 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.98
  37. 37CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · 13th century · Artists0.97
  38. 38Silvio PellicoSilvio Pellico1789–1854 · 19th century · Writers0.96
  39. 39Vincenzo GiobertiVincenzo Gioberti1801–1852 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.96
  40. 40Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.95
  41. 41Giambattista VicoGiambattista Vico1668–1744 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.95
  42. 42Pietro MetastasioPietro Metastasio1698–1782 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.93
  43. 43Anna KuliscioffAnna Kuliscioff1853–1925 · 19th century · Doctors0.92
  44. 44Cesare BorgiaCesare Borgia1475–1507 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.88
  45. 45Cesare BalboCesare Balbo1789–1853 · 19th century · Politicians0.85
  46. 46Giovanni PascoliGiovanni Pascoli1855–1912 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.84
  47. 47Paul the DeaconPaul the Deacon720–799 · 8th century · Writers0.81
  48. 48Francesco GuicciardiniFrancesco Guicciardini1483–1540 · 16th century · Writers0.81
  49. 49PontormoPontormo1494–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.81
  50. 50Niccolò TommaseoNiccolò Tommaseo1802–1874 · 19th century · Academics0.81
  51. 51Carlo GoldoniCarlo Goldoni1707–1793 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.79
  52. 52Salvator RosaSalvator Rosa1615–1673 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.79
  53. 53Antonio RosminiAntonio Rosmini1797–1855 · 19th century · Academics0.75
  54. 54Pietro VerriPietro Verri1728–1797 · 18th century · Academics0.74
  55. 55Tommaso CampanellaTommaso Campanella1568–1639 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.71
  56. 56Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · 15th century · Politicians0.70
  57. 57Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi1874–1937 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists0.69
  58. 58Apostolo ZenoApostolo Zeno1668–1750 · 18th century · Writers0.66
  59. 59PisanelloPisanello1395–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.65
  60. 60Galileo FerrarisGalileo Ferraris1847–1897 · 19th century · Scientists0.65
  61. 61Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini1430–1516 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.65
  62. 62Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects0.65
  63. 63Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.64
  64. 64Andrea DoriaAndrea Doria1466–1560 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.63
  65. 65Massimo d'AzeglioMassimo d'Azeglio1798–1866 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.63
  66. 66PinturicchioPinturicchio1454–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.62
  67. 67Guido CavalcantiGuido Cavalcanti1258–1300 · 13th century · Writers0.62
  68. 68Arrigo BoitoArrigo Boito1842–1918 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.61
  69. 69Paolo SarpiPaolo Sarpi1552–1623 · 16th century · Academics0.61
  70. 70Paolo UccelloPaolo Uccello1397–1475 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.61
  71. 71ParmigianinoParmigianino1503–1540 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.61
  72. 72Simone MartiniSimone Martini1284–1344 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.60
  73. 73Giovanni PisanoGiovanni Pisano1248–1315 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.60
  74. 74Giulio RomanoGiulio Romano1499–1546 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.60
  75. 75Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò Machiavelli1469–1527 · 16th century · Politicians0.58
  76. 76Pietro AretinoPietro Aretino1492–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.57
  77. 77Alessandro VoltaAlessandro Volta1745–1827 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists0.57
  78. 78Luigi EinaudiLuigi Einaudi1874–1961 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.56
  79. 79Margaret of SavoyMargaret of Savoy1851–1926 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.56
  80. 80Francesca da RiminiFrancesca da Rimini1259–1285 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.56
  81. 81Federico CesiFederico Cesi1585–1630 · 17th century0.56
  82. 82Lucrezia BorgiaLucrezia Borgia1480–1519 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.55
  83. 83Paolo VeronesePaolo Veronese1528–1588 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.55
  84. 84SassettaSassetta1392–1450 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.55
  85. 85Giovanni VergaGiovanni Verga1840–1922 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.55
  86. 86Carlo GozziCarlo Gozzi1720–1806 · 18th century · Writers0.54
  87. 87Pietro BemboPietro Bembo1470–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.54
  88. 88Antonio FogazzaroAntonio Fogazzaro1842–1911 · 19th century · Writers0.54
  89. 89Enrico FerriEnrico Ferri1856–1929 · 19th century · Journalists0.52
  90. 90Antonio LabriolaAntonio Labriola1843–1904 · 19th century · Academics0.52
  91. 91Fra AngelicoFra Angelico1390–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.52
  92. 92Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio1313–1375 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.52
  93. 93DomenichinoDomenichino1581–1641 · 17th century · Artists0.52
  94. 94CanalettoCanaletto1697–1768 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.50
  95. 95GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.50
  96. 96Leonardo BruniLeonardo Bruni1369–1444 · 15th century · Writers0.50
  97. 97Franco SacchettiFranco Sacchetti1332–1400 · 14th century · Writers0.49
  98. 98Eleonora DuseEleonora Duse1858–1924 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors0.49
  99. 99Goffredo MameliGoffredo Mameli1827–1849 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.49
  100. 100John BoscoJohn Bosco1815–1888 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.48

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.