Claim profile
1960–1969

The 1960s

Whose names filled the books of the 1960s — 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 1960s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish24,578German3,951French3,665Italian1,962Spanish1,386Russian727Chinese146Hebrew141
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures24
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics9.2
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.5
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers7.0
  5. 5SealSealborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5.8
  6. 6Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.3
  7. 7AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.1
  8. 8George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.9
  9. 9CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3.8
  10. 10SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.8
  11. 11VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.7
  12. 12John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.1
  13. 13Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.9
  14. 14EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.8
  15. 15WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists1.8
  16. 16Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  17. 17Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.7
  18. 18Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.6
  19. 19CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.6
  20. 20OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  21. 21AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC1.6
  22. 22MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.6
  23. 23PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.6
  24. 24SukarnoSukarno1901–1970 · 20th century · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians1.5
  25. 25Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.5
  26. 26Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.5
  27. 27Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  28. 28AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century1.4
  29. 29Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  30. 30EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.4
  31. 31Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.4
  32. 32RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.4
  33. 33HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.4
  34. 34Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians1.3
  35. 35Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  36. 36SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.3
  37. 37CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.3
  38. 38Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.1
  39. 39Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi1869–1948 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Activists1.1
  40. 40John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  41. 41HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.1
  42. 42Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.1
  43. 43Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.1
  44. 44Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.1
  45. 45HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.1
  46. 46Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.1
  47. 47John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.1
  48. 48LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.0
  49. 49William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.0
  50. 50GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.98
  51. 51AeschylusAeschylus525 BC–456 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.97
  52. 52T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot1888–1965 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.96
  53. 53PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.95
  54. 54Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson1908–1973 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.94
  55. 55ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.92
  56. 56Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.92
  57. 57HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.91
  58. 58CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.91
  59. 59Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.91
  60. 60Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.91
  61. 61Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.91
  62. 62Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.91
  63. 63Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.89
  64. 64AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.87
  65. 65BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.86
  66. 66William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.86
  67. 67U ThantU Thant1909–1974 · 20th century · Politicians0.85
  68. 68SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.85
  69. 69Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru1889–1964 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians0.85
  70. 70John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.84
  71. 71RamakrishnaRamakrishna1836–1886 · 19th century · 🇮🇳 India · Academics0.83
  72. 72Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.82
  73. 73Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh1890–1969 · 20th century · Politicians0.81
  74. 74Thomas AquinasThomas Aquinas1225–1274 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.81
  75. 75OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.80
  76. 76John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.80
  77. 77Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.80
  78. 78Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.78
  79. 79George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.77
  80. 80HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.75
  81. 81Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.75
  82. 82Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.75
  83. 83Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.75
  84. 84Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.75
  85. 85Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.75
  86. 86Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century0.75
  87. 87Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.75
  88. 88Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.75
  89. 89Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.75
  90. 90Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.75
  91. 91Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.75
  92. 92PindarPindar517 BC–437 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.75
  93. 93James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century0.74
  94. 94LucretiusLucretius94 BC–55 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.74
  95. 95Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.73
  96. 96Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.72
  97. 97Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.71
  98. 98John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.71
  99. 99DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.70
  100. 100Henry VII, Holy Roman EmperorHenry VII, Holy Roman Emperor1275–1313 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France0.70

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1960s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Elizabeth IIElizabeth II1926–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures8 decades
  2. 2Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI1927–2022 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures2 decades
  3. 3Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe1926–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  4. 4Che GuevaraChe Guevara1928–1967 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Activists7 decades
  5. 5Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · Politicians4 decades
  6. 6Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · Politicians6 decades
  7. 7Gabriel García MárquezGabriel García Márquez1927–2014 · Writers7 decades
  8. 8Fidel CastroFidel Castro1926–2016 · Politicians10 decades
  9. 9Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.1929–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  10. 10Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot1934–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  11. 11Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin1931–2007 · Politicians4 decades
  12. 12Clint EastwoodClint Eastwoodborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  13. 13Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  14. 14Audrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn1929–1993 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  15. 15Margaret ThatcherMargaret Thatcher1925–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians6 decades
  16. 16Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong1930–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  17. 17Sean ConnerySean Connery1930–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  18. 18Sophia LorenSophia Lorenborn 1934 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  19. 19Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor1932–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  20. 20Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick1928–1999 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  21. 21Andy WarholAndy Warhol1928–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  22. 22Warren BuffettWarren Buffettborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Investors3 decades
  23. 23Malcolm XMalcolm X1925–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians6 decades
  24. 24Jane GoodallJane Goodall1934–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics5 decades
  25. 25Yasser ArafatYasser Arafat1929–2004 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians5 decades
  26. 26Helmut KohlHelmut Kohl1930–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  27. 27Noam ChomskyNoam Chomskyborn 1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics6 decades
  28. 28Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  29. 29Grace KellyGrace Kelly1929–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  30. 30Pol PotPol Pot1925–1998 · Politicians5 decades
  31. 31Johnny CashJohnny Cash1932–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  32. 32Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  33. 33Leonard CohenLeonard Cohen1934–2016 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Musicians5 decades
  34. 34Patrice LumumbaPatrice Lumumba1925–1961 · Politicians8 decades
  35. 35Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9 decades
  36. 36Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Paul Belmondo1933–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  37. 37Michael CaineMichael Caineborn 1933 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  38. 38Jacqueline Kennedy OnassisJacqueline Kennedy Onassis1929–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Journalists4 decades
  39. 39Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  40. 40Paul NewmanPaul Newman1925–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  41. 41Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7 decades
  42. 42Raúl CastroRaúl Castroborn 1931 · Politicians9 decades
  43. 43Charles MansonCharles Manson1934–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  44. 44Andrei TarkovskyAndrei Tarkovsky1932–1986 · Directors5 decades
  45. 45Andrei TarkowskiAndrei Tarkowski1932–1986 · Directors5 decades
  46. 46George SorosGeorge Sorosborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Investors3 decades
  47. 47Maggie SmithMaggie Smith1934–2024 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  48. 48Idi AminIdi Amin1925–2003 · Politicians5 decades
  49. 49Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy1925–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  50. 50Robert DuvallRobert Duvall1931–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  51. 51Gene HackmanGene Hackman1930–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  52. 52Roger MooreRoger Moore1927–2017 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  53. 53Buzz AldrinBuzz Aldrinborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  54. 54Judi DenchJudi Denchborn 1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  55. 55Yoko OnoYoko Onoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists5 decades
  56. 56Lev YashinLev Yashin1929–1990 · Footballersnot measured—
  57. 57Shirley MacLaineShirley MacLaineborn 1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  58. 58AkihitoAkihitoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures8 decades
  59. 59Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians6 decades
  60. 60Christopher PlummerChristopher Plummer1929–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors7 decades
  61. 61Alfredo Di StéfanoAlfredo Di Stéfano1926–2014 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers4 decades
  62. 62Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  63. 63Mobutu Sese SekoMobutu Sese Seko1930–1997 · Politicians5 decades
  64. 64Miles DavisMiles Davis1926–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  65. 65Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone1928–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  66. 66Ray CharlesRay Charles1930–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  67. 67Peter O'ToolePeter O'Toole1932–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  68. 68David AttenboroughDavid Attenboroughborn 1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  69. 69Ferenc PuskásFerenc Puskás1927–2006 · Footballers0 decades
  70. 70Steve McQueenSteve McQueen1930–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  71. 71James BrownJames Brown1933–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  72. 72Rupert MurdochRupert Murdochborn 1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders5 decades
  73. 73Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima1925–1970 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers6 decades
  74. 74Bhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol Adulyadej1927–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures5 decades
  75. 75Karl LagerfeldKarl Lagerfeld1933–2019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Designers4 decades
  76. 76Sergio LeoneSergio Leone1929–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  77. 77Omar SharifOmar Sharif1932–2015 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Actors6 decades
  78. 78Carl SaganCarl Sagan1934–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists6 decades
  79. 79Richard BurtonRichard Burton1925–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors10 decades
  80. 80Tony CurtisTony Curtis1925–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  81. 81Chuck BerryChuck Berry1926–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  82. 82Sylvia PlathSylvia Plath1932–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  83. 83Philip K. DickPhilip K. Dick1928–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  84. 84Sidney PoitierSidney Poitier1927–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  85. 85John Forbes Nash Jr.John Forbes Nash Jr.1928–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  86. 86Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak1928–2020 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians4 decades
  87. 87Bud SpencerBud Spencer1929–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  88. 88Maya AngelouMaya Angelou1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  89. 89Leslie NielsenLeslie Nielsen1926–2010 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors5 decades
  90. 90John WilliamsJohn Williamsborn 1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  91. 91Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le Guin1929–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  92. 92Shirley TempleShirley Temple1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  93. 93William ShatnerWilliam Shatnerborn 1931 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors5 decades
  94. 94Mel BrooksMel Brooksborn 1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians5 decades
  95. 95Nina SimoneNina Simone1933–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  96. 96Hafez al-AssadHafez al-Assad1930–2000 · Politicians5 decades
  97. 97Albert II of BelgiumAlbert II of Belgiumborn 1934 · Historical Figures0 decades
  98. 98Leonard NimoyLeonard Nimoy1931–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  99. 99Toni MorrisonToni Morrison1931–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  100. 100Angela LansburyAngela Lansbury1925–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 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.