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 Hebrew books during the 1950s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish22,804German3,824French3,466Italian1,906Spanish1,335Russian680Chinese175Hebrew140
  1. 1Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures14
  2. 2HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures12
  3. 3Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers9.9
  4. 4Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century9.7
  5. 5Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics9.4
  6. 6Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers8.0
  7. 7HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures7.0
  8. 8JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers6.2
  9. 9Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC5.8
  10. 10SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century4.7
  11. 11Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures4.2
  12. 12Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians4.2
  13. 13NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century4.1
  14. 14Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers4.0
  15. 15SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers3.5
  16. 16Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.9
  17. 17JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics2.8
  18. 18Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC2.7
  19. 19Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers2.4
  20. 20Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians2.3
  21. 21Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians2.2
  22. 22SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century1.7
  23. 23Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers1.7
  24. 24Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures1.7
  25. 25Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  26. 26YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers1.6
  27. 27Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics1.5
  28. 28Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century1.5
  29. 29Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics1.4
  30. 30Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century1.4
  31. 31Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.2
  32. 32Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers1.2
  33. 33MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century1.1
  34. 34Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  35. 35Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers1.1
  36. 36Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers1.1
  37. 37Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century1.0
  38. 38Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century1.0
  39. 39Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.99
  40. 40Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century0.96
  41. 41Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.85
  42. 42Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics0.84
  43. 43Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.81
  44. 44Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.80
  45. 45Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.79
  46. 46JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.78
  47. 47Levi EshkolLevi Eshkol1895–1969 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.73
  48. 48Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.71
  49. 49Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.70
  50. 50ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.66
  51. 51JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.65
  52. 52Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.65
  53. 53Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.64
  54. 54HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.63
  55. 55Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.60
  56. 56Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.59
  57. 57IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.52
  58. 58JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.51
  59. 59JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.49
  60. 60Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.47
  61. 61Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.46
  62. 62Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.43
  63. 63IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.43
  64. 64Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.41
  65. 65Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.39
  66. 66Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.37
  67. 67Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.36
  68. 68EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.36
  69. 69Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.33
  70. 70Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.32
  71. 71EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.32
  72. 72MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.27
  73. 73BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.27
  74. 74Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740–1809 · 18th century · Musicians0.26
  75. 75PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.24
  76. 76JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.23
  77. 77Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.21
  78. 78MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.18
  79. 79OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.17
  80. 80Judah ben David HayyujJudah ben David Hayyuj945–1000 · 10th century · Writers0.17
  81. 81Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.17
  82. 82Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.15
  83. 83Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.14
  84. 84Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.13
  85. 85Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.13
  86. 86Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.12
  87. 87Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.11
  88. 88Shimon PeresShimon Peres1923–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.10
  89. 89RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.10
  90. 90IAIsaac Albalag1300–1300 · 14th century · Academics0.10
  91. 91Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.10
  92. 92JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.10
  93. 93Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.09
  94. 94IIIsaac ibn Ezra1114–1158 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.08
  95. 95TBTobiah ben Eliezer1080–1150 · 12th century · Actors0.08
  96. 96Daniel BombergDaniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.08
  97. 97Joseph ben Judah ibn AkninJoseph ben Judah ibn Aknin1150–1266 · 12th century · Academics0.07
  98. 98Tzvi AshkenaziTzvi Ashkenazi1660–1718 · 17th century0.06
  99. 99Abraham GoldfadenAbraham Goldfaden1840–1908 · 19th century · Writers0.06
  100. 100Amos OzAmos Oz1939–2018 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers0.06

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.