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 Spanish books during the 1950s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish22,804German3,824French3,466Italian1,906Spanish1,335Russian680Chinese175Hebrew140
  1. 1Eva PerónEva Perón1919–1952 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Actors10
  2. 2Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers7.2
  3. 3John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal6.8
  4. 4Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers6.3
  5. 5Rubén DaríoRubén Darío1867–1916 · 20th century · Writers6.0
  6. 6Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures5.1
  7. 7Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians4.7
  8. 8Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians4.5
  9. 9Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.9
  10. 10José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians3.8
  11. 11John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers3.7
  12. 12Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures3.6
  13. 13JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.7
  14. 14Gabriela MistralGabriela Mistral1889–1957 · 20th century · Writers2.6
  15. 15Antonio MachadoAntonio Machado1875–1939 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.6
  16. 16Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.5
  17. 17Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.4
  18. 18Juan Ramón JiménezJuan Ramón Jiménez1881–1958 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.3
  19. 19Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.2
  20. 20Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.1
  21. 21Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.1
  22. 22Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.0
  23. 23Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.0
  24. 24Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.9
  25. 25Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.8
  26. 26Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.8
  27. 27Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers1.8
  28. 28John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.7
  29. 29Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.7
  30. 30Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.6
  31. 31Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.6
  32. 32Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.6
  33. 33Ramón CastillaRamón Castilla1797–1867 · 19th century · Politicians1.6
  34. 34Hipólito YrigoyenHipólito Yrigoyen1850–1933 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.6
  35. 35Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists1.5
  36. 36Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.5
  37. 37Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.4
  38. 38Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.4
  39. 39Sor Juana Inés de la CruzSor Juana Inés de la Cruz1651–1695 · 17th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers1.4
  40. 40Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century1.4
  41. 41Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.4
  42. 42José HernándezJosé Hernández1834–1886 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers1.3
  43. 43Francisco de VitoriaFrancisco de Vitoria1480–1546 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics1.3
  44. 44Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.3
  45. 45John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.3
  46. 46Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.3
  47. 47Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.2
  48. 48Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics1.2
  49. 49Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.2
  50. 50Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  51. 51Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.2
  52. 52Marcelino Menéndez y PelayoMarcelino Menéndez y Pelayo1856–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics1.2
  53. 53Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  54. 54Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.1
  55. 55María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.1
  56. 56Francisco de MirandaFrancisco de Miranda1750–1816 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  57. 57Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.1
  58. 58Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.1
  59. 59Juan de la CosaJuan de la Cosa1450–1510 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.0
  60. 60Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.0
  61. 61Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.0
  62. 62Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.99
  63. 63LDLope de Aguirre1510–1561 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.99
  64. 64Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.99
  65. 65Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.97
  66. 66Tomás Estrada PalmaTomás Estrada Palma1835–1908 · 19th century · Politicians0.96
  67. 67César VallejoCésar Vallejo1892–1938 · 20th century · Writers0.95
  68. 68José Ortega y GassetJosé Ortega y Gasset1883–1955 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.92
  69. 69Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.91
  70. 70Victoriano HuertaVictoriano Huerta1850–1916 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.90
  71. 71Pío BarojaPío Baroja1872–1956 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.89
  72. 72Esteban Echeverría MamaniEsteban Echeverría Mamani1805–1851 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.89
  73. 73Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · 19th century · Politicians0.88
  74. 74Diego RiveraDiego Rivera1886–1957 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Designers0.87
  75. 75Fidel CastroFidel Castro1926–2016 · 20th century · Politicians0.87
  76. 76Francisco SuárezFrancisco Suárez1548–1617 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.87
  77. 77Peter ClaverPeter Claver1580–1654 · 17th century0.87
  78. 78Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.85
  79. 79Vasco Núñez de BalboaVasco Núñez de Balboa1475–1519 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.84
  80. 80Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.84
  81. 81Juan de CastellanosJuan de Castellanos1522–1607 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.80
  82. 82Roque Sáenz PeñaRoque Sáenz Peña1851–1914 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.79
  83. 83El GrecoEl Greco1541–1614 · 16th century · Artists0.79
  84. 84Francisco MorazánFrancisco Morazán1792–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.76
  85. 85Juan Bautista AlberdiJuan Bautista Alberdi1810–1884 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.74
  86. 86Juan de ValdésJuan de Valdés1505–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Actors0.72
  87. 87Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.71
  88. 88Juan MontalvoJuan Montalvo1832–1889 · 19th century · Writers0.71
  89. 89Mateo AlemánMateo Alemán1547–1614 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.69
  90. 90Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto1500–1542 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.67
  91. 91Gil VicenteGil Vicente1465–1536 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Writers0.67
  92. 92Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.67
  93. 93Luis de GóngoraLuis de Góngora1561–1627 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.66
  94. 94Emiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata1879–1919 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.66
  95. 95Juan Ponce de LeónJuan Ponce de León1460–1521 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.65
  96. 96Luis de Salazar y CastroLuis de Salazar y Castro1658–1734 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.65
  97. 97Pancho VillaPancho Villa1878–1923 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.65
  98. 98Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.65
  99. 99Fructuoso RiveraFructuoso Rivera1784–1854 · 19th century · Politicians0.64
  100. 100Vicente AleixandreVicente Aleixandre1898–1984 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.64

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.