Claim profile
1950–1959

The 1950s

Whose names filled the books of the 1950s — 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 English books during the 1950s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish22,804German3,824French3,466Italian1,906Spanish1,335Russian680Chinese175Hebrew140
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures25
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.6
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.2
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers7.7
  5. 5AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.2
  6. 6CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.1
  7. 7Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.0
  8. 8SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.9
  9. 9George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.8
  10. 10VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.7
  11. 11EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics2.5
  12. 12WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists2.2
  13. 13AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC2.2
  14. 14Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.2
  15. 15Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  16. 16Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  17. 17Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.6
  18. 18Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.6
  19. 19Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  20. 20CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.5
  21. 21OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  22. 22MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.5
  23. 23PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.4
  24. 24Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.4
  25. 25Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.3
  26. 26Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.3
  27. 27Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.3
  28. 28Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.3
  29. 29EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  30. 30CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.2
  31. 31RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.2
  32. 32HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.2
  33. 33SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  34. 34William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.1
  35. 35John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.1
  36. 36John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  37. 37Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics0.99
  38. 38LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.98
  39. 39GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.98
  40. 40Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.96
  41. 41Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.92
  42. 42CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.92
  43. 43Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.92
  44. 44Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.92
  45. 45Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.92
  46. 46PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.92
  47. 47SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.90
  48. 48BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.90
  49. 49Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.90
  50. 50Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.90
  51. 51HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.90
  52. 52Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians0.90
  53. 53Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century0.90
  54. 54HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century0.90
  55. 55Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.89
  56. 56OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.89
  57. 57Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas1225–1274 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.89
  58. 58William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.88
  59. 59HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.87
  60. 60Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.87
  61. 61Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.86
  62. 62T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot1888–1965 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.86
  63. 63Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi1869–1948 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Activists0.85
  64. 64PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.85
  65. 65John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.85
  66. 66AeschylusAeschylus525 BC–456 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.84
  67. 67John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.82
  68. 68John DayJohn Day1522–1584 · 16th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom0.81
  69. 69ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.79
  70. 70AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.78
  71. 71James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century0.78
  72. 72John DeweyJohn Dewey1859–1952 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.77
  73. 73Chevy ChaseChevy Chaseborn 1943 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.76
  74. 74John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.76
  75. 75Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.75
  76. 76Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France0.74
  77. 77Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.74
  78. 78John MarshallJohn Marshall1755–1835 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.74
  79. 79William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders0.73
  80. 80Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover1874–1964 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.73
  81. 81John Foster DullesJohn Foster Dulles1888–1959 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.73
  82. 82Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.72
  83. 83Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower1890–1969 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.71
  84. 84Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.70
  85. 85AhabAhab918 BC–852 BC · 1st millennium BC · Models0.70
  86. 86Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  87. 87Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  88. 88DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.66
  89. 89TertullianTertullian160–240 · 2nd century · Academics0.66
  90. 90TrajanTrajan53–117 · 1st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.65
  91. 91HippocratesHippocrates460 BC–370 BC · 1st millennium BC · Doctors0.65
  92. 92Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great356 BC–323 BC · 1st millennium BC · Historical Figures0.64
  93. 93PythagorasPythagoras582 BC–490 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.63
  94. 94Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.63
  95. 95Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.63
  96. 96HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.63
  97. 97Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.63
  98. 98Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.63
  99. 99Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.63
  100. 100Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.63

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1950s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II1920–2005 · Religious Figures5 decades
  2. 2John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians11 decades
  3. 3Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela1918–2013 · 🇿🇦 South Africa · Politicians6 decades
  4. 4Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  5. 5François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  6. 6Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter1924–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  7. 7Marlon BrandoMarlon Brando1924–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  8. 8Judy GarlandJudy Garland1922–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  9. 9Aleksandr SolzhenitsynAleksandr Solzhenitsyn1918–2008 · Writers6 decades
  10. 10George H. W. BushGeorge H. W. Bush1924–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2 decades
  11. 11Mohammad Reza PahlaviMohammad Reza Pahlavi1919–1980 · Historical Figures4 decades
  12. 12Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh1921–2021 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom0 decades
  13. 13Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra1915–1998 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  14. 14Augusto PinochetAugusto Pinochet1915–2006 · Politicians5 decades
  15. 15Federico FelliniFederico Fellini1920–1993 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  16. 16Isaac AsimovIsaac Asimov1920–1992 · Writers7 decades
  17. 17Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  18. 18Nicolae CeaușescuNicolae Ceaușescu1918–1989 · Politiciansnot measured—
  19. 19Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger1923–2023 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  20. 20Christopher LeeChristopher Lee1922–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  21. 21Eva PerónEva Perón1919–1952 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Actors8 decades
  22. 22James DeanJames Dean1931–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  23. 23Ingrid BergmanIngrid Bergman1915–1982 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors8 decades
  24. 24Kirk DouglasKirk Douglas1916–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  25. 25Maria CallasMaria Callas1923–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  26. 26Charles BronsonCharles Bronson1921–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini1922–1975 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers8 decades
  28. 28Orson WellesOrson Welles1915–1985 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors9 decades
  29. 29Richard FeynmanRichard Feynman1918–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists4 decades
  30. 30Mikhail KalashnikovMikhail Kalashnikov1919–2013 · Scientists4 decades
  31. 31Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians9 decades
  32. 32Gamal Abdel NasserGamal Abdel Nasser1918–1970 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians8 decades
  33. 33Marcello MastroianniMarcello Mastroianni1924–1996 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  34. 34Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · Politicians7 decades
  35. 35Indira GandhiIndira Gandhi1917–1984 · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians7 decades
  36. 36Gregory PeckGregory Peck1916–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  37. 37Lauren BacallLauren Bacall1924–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  38. 38Roald DahlRoald Dahl1916–1990 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Writers6 decades
  39. 39Ingmar BergmanIngmar Bergman1918–2007 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Directors6 decades
  40. 40Anwar SadatAnwar Sadat1918–1981 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians5 decades
  41. 41Stan LeeStan Lee1922–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  42. 42Charlton HestonCharlton Heston1923–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  43. 43Charles BukowskiCharles Bukowski1920–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  44. 44Rita HayworthRita Hayworth1918–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  45. 45Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians7 decades
  46. 46Truman CapoteTruman Capote1924–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  47. 47Robert MugabeRobert Mugabe1924–2019 · Politicians5 decades
  48. 48Doris DayDoris Day1922–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  49. 49Anthony QuinnAnthony Quinn1915–2001 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Actors7 decades
  50. 50Shimon PeresShimon Peres1923–2016 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians8 decades
  51. 51Peter UstinovPeter Ustinov1921–2004 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  52. 52Edmund HillaryEdmund Hillary1919–2008 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Historical Figures7 decades
  53. 53Ava GardnerAva Gardner1922–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  54. 54Jack KerouacJack Kerouac1922–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  55. 55Dean MartinDean Martin1917–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  56. 56Arthur MillerArthur Miller1915–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  57. 57Pierre TrudeauPierre Trudeau1919–2000 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Politicians6 decades
  58. 58J. D. SalingerJ. D. Salinger1919–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  59. 59Richard AttenboroughRichard Attenborough1923–2014 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  60. 60Yul BrynnerYul Brynner1920–1985 · Actors7 decades
  61. 61Frank HerbertFrank Herbert1920–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  62. 62Billie HolidayBillie Holiday1915–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  63. 63Robert MitchumRobert Mitchum1917–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  64. 64Zsa Zsa GaborZsa Zsa Gabor1917–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  65. 65Katherine JohnsonKatherine Johnson1918–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  66. 66Ernest BorgnineErnest Borgnine1917–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  67. 67Betty WhiteBetty White1922–2021 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  68. 68Olivia de HavillandOlivia de Havilland1916–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  69. 69Arthur C. ClarkeArthur C. Clarke1917–2008 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  70. 70Buddy HollyBuddy Holly1936–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  71. 71James BaldwinJames Baldwin1924–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  72. 72Doris LessingDoris Lessing1919–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  73. 73Harold WilsonHarold Wilson1916–1995 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians11 decades
  74. 74Mickey RooneyMickey Rooney1920–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  75. 75Ray BradburyRay Bradbury1920–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  76. 76Abdullah of Saudi ArabiaAbdullah of Saudi Arabia1924–2015 · Politicians0 decades
  77. 77Helmut SchmidtHelmut Schmidt1918–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  78. 78Toshiro MifuneToshiro Mifune1920–1997 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Actors5 decades
  79. 79Carl ReinerCarl Reiner1922–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  80. 80William HoldenWilliam Holden1918–1981 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors11 decades
  81. 81Ravi ShankarRavi Shankar1920–2012 · 🇮🇳 India · Musicians6 decades
  82. 82Montgomery CliftMontgomery Clift1920–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors8 decades
  83. 83Raj KapoorRaj Kapoor1924–1988 · 🇮🇳 India · Actors5 decades
  84. 84Aldo MoroAldo Moro1916–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  85. 85Leonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein1918–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  86. 86Fahd of Saudi ArabiaFahd of Saudi Arabia1921–2005 · Historical Figures2 decades
  87. 87Ella FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald1917–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  88. 88Nancy ReaganNancy Reagan1921–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  89. 89Hank WilliamsHank Williams1923–1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  90. 90Kurt VonnegutKurt Vonnegut1922–2007 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  91. 91Billy GrahamBilly Graham1918–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics7 decades
  92. 92Rosalind FranklinRosalind Franklin1920–1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists4 decades
  93. 93SuhartoSuharto1921–2008 · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians6 decades
  94. 94Lee MarvinLee Marvin1924–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  95. 95Pete SeegerPete Seeger1919–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  96. 96Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand Marcos1917–1989 · Politicians6 decades
  97. 97Eli WallachEli Wallach1915–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  98. 98Stanisław LemStanisław Lem1921–2006 · Writers0 decades
  99. 99John GlennJohn Glenn1921–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians10 decades
  100. 100Hiroo OnodaHiroo Onoda1922–2014 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 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.