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 Chinese books during the 1950s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish22,804German3,824French3,466Italian1,906Spanish1,335Russian680Chinese175Hebrew140
  1. 1Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians173
  2. 2Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians100
  3. 3Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers55
  4. 4Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians43
  5. 5Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians24
  6. 6Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians17
  7. 7Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9.0
  8. 8Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians8.4
  9. 9Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.6
  10. 10GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers5.4
  11. 11Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.7
  12. 12Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.3
  13. 13ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics3.9
  14. 14LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics3.3
  15. 15Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors2.5
  16. 16Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers2.3
  17. 17Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.1
  18. 18Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers1.7
  19. 19Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.5
  20. 20Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians1.4
  21. 21Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.3
  22. 22Pu SonglingPu Songling1640–1715 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  23. 23LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.1
  24. 24Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.96
  25. 25Bada ShanrenBada Shanren1626–1705 · 17th century · Artists0.93
  26. 26ShitaoShitao1642–1707 · 17th century · Artists0.93
  27. 27Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.88
  28. 28Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.87
  29. 29Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.84
  30. 30KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.78
  31. 31Gu KaizhiGu Kaizhi345–406 · 4th century · Artists0.73
  32. 32Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.63
  33. 33WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists0.61
  34. 34Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.47
  35. 35Wang XizhiWang Xizhi321–361 · 4th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.40
  36. 36Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.39
  37. 37LQLiu Qing78–106 · 2nd century0.39
  38. 38Zhang XunZhang Xun1854–1923 · 19th century · Politicians0.37
  39. 39CSChen Shou233–297 · 3rd century · Writers0.34
  40. 40Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.33
  41. 41Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.33
  42. 42Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.32
  43. 43Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.31
  44. 44Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.31
  45. 45Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.31
  46. 46Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.29
  47. 47Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.29
  48. 48Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers0.25
  49. 49Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.25
  50. 50Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.24
  51. 51Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.24
  52. 52Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.22
  53. 53Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.22
  54. 54Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.22
  55. 55PuyiPuyi1906–1967 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.21
  56. 56Wen TongWen Tong1018–1079 · 11th century · Artists0.20
  57. 57Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.20
  58. 58Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.20
  59. 59Dong QichangDong Qichang1555–1636 · 16th century · Artists0.20
  60. 60Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.19
  61. 61Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers0.19
  62. 62Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.18
  63. 63Lü BuweiLü Buwei291 BC–235 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.18
  64. 64Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.18
  65. 65Shi KefaShi Kefa1601–1645 · 17th century · Politicians0.15
  66. 66Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.15
  67. 67Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.14
  68. 68Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.14
  69. 69Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.13
  70. 70Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.13
  71. 71Wen JiabaoWen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.12
  72. 72Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.11
  73. 73Meng HaoranMeng Haoran690–740 · 8th century · Writers0.10
  74. 74Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.08
  75. 75Zhang ZhidongZhang Zhidong1837–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.08
  76. 76Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.08
  77. 77Emperor Taizong of TangEmperor Taizong of Tang598–649 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.06
  78. 78MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.05
  79. 79Ouyang XiuOuyang Xiu1007–1072 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.05
  80. 80Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians0.05
  81. 81Xi ShiXi Shi506 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC0.05
  82. 82Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.05
  83. 83Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong1334–1400 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.05
  84. 84Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.04
  85. 85Li QingzhaoLi Qingzhao1084–1155 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.04
  86. 86Wang WeiWang Wei699–759 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.04
  87. 87Zhao ZiyangZhao Ziyang1919–2005 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.04
  88. 88Guan YuGuan Yu160–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.03
  89. 89Wang BiWang Bi226–249 · 3rd century · Politicians0.03
  90. 90Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.03
  91. 91Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.03
  92. 92Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.03
  93. 93Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.03
  94. 94Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.03
  95. 95Luo QinshunLuo Qinshun1465–1547 · 16th century · Writers0.03
  96. 96Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu of Han156 BC–87 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.03
  97. 97Wu Cheng'enWu Cheng'en1500–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.02
  98. 98Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.02
  99. 99Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century0.02
  100. 100Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.02

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.