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 German books during the 1950s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish22,804German3,824French3,466Italian1,906Spanish1,335Russian680Chinese175Hebrew140
  1. 1Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany6.7
  2. 2Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6.7
  3. 3Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6.7
  4. 4Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures6.7
  5. 5NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5.9
  6. 6Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics5.4
  7. 7Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4.9
  8. 8Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4.7
  9. 9Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.3
  10. 10Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.3
  11. 11Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.3
  12. 12Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.3
  13. 13Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.3
  14. 14Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.3
  15. 15Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures3.1
  16. 16John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  17. 17John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  18. 18John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  19. 19John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.8
  20. 20John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.8
  21. 21John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  22. 22ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.7
  23. 23Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.6
  24. 24Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.5
  25. 25John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.5
  26. 26Walter UlbrichtWalter Ulbricht1893–1973 · 20th century · Politicians2.4
  27. 27Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.3
  28. 28William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  29. 29William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.3
  30. 30William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.3
  31. 31Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  32. 32WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  33. 33Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  34. 34WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  35. 35William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.3
  36. 36WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.3
  37. 37HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.0
  38. 38Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  39. 39HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  40. 40Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics1.9
  41. 41Wilhelm PieckWilhelm Pieck1876–1960 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.8
  42. 42Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians1.7
  43. 43Gottfried KellerGottfried Keller1819–1890 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers1.7
  44. 44William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  45. 45Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  46. 46William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7
  47. 47William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century1.7
  48. 48William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  49. 49William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7
  50. 50William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  51. 51WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  52. 52William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  53. 53Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians1.7
  54. 54Rudolf SteinerRudolf Steiner1861–1925 · 19th century · Writers1.7
  55. 55Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  56. 56Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  57. 57HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.6
  58. 58HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.6
  59. 59HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  60. 60HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  61. 61Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  62. 62HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.6
  63. 63Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  64. 64Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.6
  65. 65Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  66. 66Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.6
  67. 67Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  68. 68Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  69. 69Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.6
  70. 70Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.6
  71. 71Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.6
  72. 72Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.6
  73. 73Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  74. 74Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.6
  75. 75Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians1.5
  76. 76Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.5
  77. 77Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  78. 78Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  79. 79Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.5
  80. 80Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  81. 81Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  82. 82Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  83. 83Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  84. 84Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  85. 85Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.5
  86. 86Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.4
  87. 87Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.4
  88. 88Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.4
  89. 89Stefan GeorgeStefan George1868–1933 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.4
  90. 90William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1.4
  91. 91WIWilliam III, Count of Weimar1000–1039 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  92. 92William III, Landgrave of HesseWilliam III, Landgrave of Hesse1471–1500 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  93. 93William IIIWilliam III1425–1482 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.4
  94. 94Rosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists1.4
  95. 95Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3
  96. 96Henry III, Landgrave of Upper HesseHenry III, Landgrave of Upper Hesse1440–1483 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.3
  97. 97Henry III, Count of SaynHenry III, Count of Sayn1193–1247 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  98. 98HIHenry III, Duke of Bavaria940–989 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  99. 99Henry IIIHenry III1215–1288 · 13th century · Writers1.3
  100. 100HIHenry III, Duke of Mecklenburg1337–1383 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3

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. 93Lee MarvinLee Marvin1924–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  94. 94SuhartoSuharto1921–2008 · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians6 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.