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 Russian books during the 1940s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish20,288German3,531French3,290Italian1,866Spanish1,287Russian599Hebrew133Chinese45
  1. 1Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians3.3
  2. 2Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers3.0
  3. 3Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures2.4
  4. 4Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures2.3
  5. 5Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models2.2
  6. 6Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians2.2
  7. 7Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.9
  8. 8Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians1.8
  9. 9Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  10. 10Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.5
  11. 11Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.5
  12. 12Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers1.4
  13. 13Fyodor VolkovFyodor Volkov1729–1763 · 18th century · Actors1.3
  14. 14Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers1.2
  15. 15Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians1.2
  16. 16Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  17. 17Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.1
  18. 18Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · 20th century · Politicians1.1
  19. 19Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians1.1
  20. 20Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  21. 21Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers1.00
  22. 22Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.98
  23. 23Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.89
  24. 24Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.87
  25. 25Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.84
  26. 26Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.80
  27. 27Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.79
  28. 28Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.74
  29. 29Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.74
  30. 30Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.66
  31. 31Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.66
  32. 32Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.63
  33. 33Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.62
  34. 34Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.55
  35. 35Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.54
  36. 36Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.52
  37. 37Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.52
  38. 38Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.51
  39. 39Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.50
  40. 40Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.49
  41. 41Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · 19th century · Scientists0.49
  42. 42Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.49
  43. 43Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.45
  44. 44Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.45
  45. 45Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.44
  46. 46Yanka KupalaYanka Kupala1882–1942 · 20th century · Writers0.42
  47. 47Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.42
  48. 48Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.42
  49. 49Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.41
  50. 50Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.41
  51. 51Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.41
  52. 52Zoya KosmodemyanskayaZoya Kosmodemyanskaya1923–1941 · 20th century0.40
  53. 53Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.40
  54. 54Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.40
  55. 55Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  56. 56Grigory OrlovGrigory Orlov1734–1783 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.38
  57. 57Mikhail KutuzovMikhail Kutuzov1747–1813 · 18th century · Politicians0.36
  58. 58Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  59. 59Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.35
  60. 60Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.35
  61. 61Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · 19th century · Scientists0.35
  62. 62Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.34
  63. 63Kuzma MininKuzma Minindied 1616 · 17th century · Politicians0.34
  64. 64Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.32
  65. 65Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.32
  66. 66Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.32
  67. 67Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.31
  68. 68Sergey KirovSergey Kirov1886–1934 · 20th century · Politicians0.31
  69. 69Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.29
  70. 70Vasili III of RussiaVasili III of Russia1479–1533 · 16th century · Politicians0.29
  71. 71Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.29
  72. 72Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.27
  73. 73Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.27
  74. 74Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.26
  75. 75Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.26
  76. 76Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.25
  77. 77Vissarion BelinskyVissarion Belinsky1811–1848 · 19th century · Academics0.25
  78. 78Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.25
  79. 79Nikolai LobachevskyNikolai Lobachevsky1792–1856 · 19th century · Academics0.24
  80. 80Yakub KolasYakub Kolas1882–1956 · 20th century · Writers0.24
  81. 81Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.23
  82. 82Kliment TimiryazevKliment Timiryazev1843–1920 · 19th century · Scientists0.22
  83. 83Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.22
  84. 84Nikita PaninNikita Panin1718–1783 · 18th century · Politicians0.22
  85. 85Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.21
  86. 86Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.21
  87. 87Vyacheslav MolotovVyacheslav Molotov1890–1986 · 20th century · Politicians0.21
  88. 88Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.21
  89. 89Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  90. 90HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.20
  91. 91Ivan MichurinIvan Michurin1855–1935 · 19th century · Scientists0.20
  92. 92Nikolay ChernyshevskyNikolay Chernyshevsky1828–1889 · 19th century · Writers0.19
  93. 93Alexander Stepanovich PopovAlexander Stepanovich Popov1859–1905 · 19th century · Scientists0.19
  94. 94Ilya RepinIlya Repin1844–1930 · 19th century · Artists0.19
  95. 95Alexei Grigoryevich OrlovAlexei Grigoryevich Orlov1737–1807 · 18th century · Politicians0.19
  96. 96Alexander RadishchevAlexander Radishchev1749–1802 · 18th century · Writers0.17
  97. 97Pyotr PaninPyotr Panin1721–1789 · 18th century0.17
  98. 98Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.16
  99. 99Nikolay NekrasovNikolay Nekrasov1821–1877 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  100. 100Konstantin AksakovKonstantin Aksakov1817–1860 · 19th century · Writers0.16

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.