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 German books during the 1960s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish24,578German3,951French3,665Italian1,962Spanish1,386Russian727Chinese146Hebrew141
  1. 1Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics8.1
  2. 2Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7.7
  3. 3Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany7.6
  4. 4Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.6
  5. 5Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.6
  6. 6Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.6
  7. 7NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6.6
  8. 8Walter UlbrichtWalter Ulbricht1893–1973 · 20th century · Politicians5.4
  9. 9Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4.9
  10. 10Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4.2
  11. 11Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.7
  12. 12Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.7
  13. 13Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.7
  14. 14Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.7
  15. 15Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.7
  16. 16Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.7
  17. 17Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics3.3
  18. 18John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.1
  19. 19John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models3.1
  20. 20John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures3.1
  21. 21John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.1
  22. 22John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.1
  23. 23John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.1
  24. 24Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.0
  25. 25John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures3.0
  26. 26William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  27. 27WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  28. 28William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.8
  29. 29Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  30. 30Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  31. 31William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.8
  32. 32WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  33. 33William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.8
  34. 34WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  35. 35Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.6
  36. 36ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.5
  37. 37Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians2.4
  38. 38Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians2.3
  39. 39Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.2
  40. 40HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.2
  41. 41HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.2
  42. 42Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.1
  43. 43William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  44. 44William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  45. 45William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  46. 46Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0
  47. 47William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.0
  48. 48WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  49. 49William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  50. 50William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  51. 51William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  52. 52Karl KrausKarl Kraus1874–1936 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers2.0
  53. 53Rosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists1.9
  54. 54Heinrich MannHeinrich Mann1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.9
  55. 55Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.9
  56. 56HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.8
  57. 57Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  58. 58HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.8
  59. 59HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.8
  60. 60Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  61. 61Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  62. 62Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  63. 63HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  64. 64HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.8
  65. 65Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.7
  66. 66Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.7
  67. 67Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  68. 68Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.7
  69. 69Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  70. 70Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  71. 71Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.7
  72. 72Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.7
  73. 73Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.7
  74. 74Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  75. 75Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7
  76. 76Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  77. 77Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.7
  78. 78Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  79. 79Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCharles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians1.6
  80. 80Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  81. 81Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.6
  82. 82Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.6
  83. 83Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.6
  84. 84Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.6
  85. 85Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  86. 86Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  87. 87Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.6
  88. 88Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  89. 89Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  90. 90Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.6
  91. 91Karl LiebknechtKarl Liebknecht1871–1919 · 20th century · Politicians1.6
  92. 92Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.6
  93. 93Stefan GeorgeStefan George1868–1933 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.6
  94. 94TannhäuserTannhäuser1300–1300 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.5
  95. 95Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.5
  96. 96Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.5
  97. 97Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-BevernAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  98. 98Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1662–1731 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  99. 99Franz I, Prince of LiechtensteinFranz I, Prince of Liechtenstein1853–1938 · 19th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians1.4
  100. 100Richard StraussRichard Strauss1864–1949 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians1.4

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. 45George SorosGeorge Sorosborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Investors3 decades
  46. 46Maggie SmithMaggie Smith1934–2024 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  47. 47Idi AminIdi Amin1925–2003 · Politicians5 decades
  48. 48Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy1925–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians7 decades
  49. 49Robert DuvallRobert Duvall1931–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  50. 50Gene HackmanGene Hackman1930–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  51. 51Roger MooreRoger Moore1927–2017 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  52. 52Buzz AldrinBuzz Aldrinborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  53. 53Judi DenchJudi Denchborn 1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  54. 54Yoko OnoYoko Onoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists5 decades
  55. 55Lev YashinLev Yashin1929–1990 · Footballersnot measured—
  56. 56Shirley MacLaineShirley MacLaineborn 1934 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  57. 57AkihitoAkihitoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Historical Figures8 decades
  58. 58Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians6 decades
  59. 59Christopher PlummerChristopher Plummer1929–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors7 decades
  60. 60Alfredo Di StéfanoAlfredo Di Stéfano1926–2014 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Footballers4 decades
  61. 61Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  62. 62Miles DavisMiles Davis1926–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  63. 63Mobutu Sese SekoMobutu Sese Seko1930–1997 · Politicians5 decades
  64. 64Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone1928–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  65. 65Ray CharlesRay Charles1930–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  66. 66Peter O'ToolePeter O'Toole1932–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  67. 67David AttenboroughDavid Attenboroughborn 1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  68. 68Ferenc PuskásFerenc Puskás1927–2006 · Footballers0 decades
  69. 69Steve McQueenSteve McQueen1930–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  70. 70James BrownJames Brown1933–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  71. 71Rupert MurdochRupert Murdochborn 1931 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders5 decades
  72. 72Bhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol Adulyadej1927–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures5 decades
  73. 73Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima1925–1970 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers6 decades
  74. 74Karl LagerfeldKarl Lagerfeld1933–2019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Designers4 decades
  75. 75Sergio LeoneSergio Leone1929–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  76. 76Omar SharifOmar Sharif1932–2015 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Actors6 decades
  77. 77Carl SaganCarl Sagan1934–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists6 decades
  78. 78Richard BurtonRichard Burton1925–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors10 decades
  79. 79Tony CurtisTony Curtis1925–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  80. 80Chuck BerryChuck Berry1926–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  81. 81Sylvia PlathSylvia Plath1932–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  82. 82Philip K. DickPhilip K. Dick1928–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  83. 83Sidney PoitierSidney Poitier1927–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors7 decades
  84. 84John Forbes Nash Jr.John Forbes Nash Jr.1928–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0 decades
  85. 85Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak1928–2020 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Politicians4 decades
  86. 86Bud SpencerBud Spencer1929–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  87. 87Maya AngelouMaya Angelou1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  88. 88Leslie NielsenLeslie Nielsen1926–2010 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors5 decades
  89. 89John WilliamsJohn Williamsborn 1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  90. 90Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le Guin1929–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  91. 91Shirley TempleShirley Temple1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors9 decades
  92. 92William ShatnerWilliam Shatnerborn 1931 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors5 decades
  93. 93Mel BrooksMel Brooksborn 1926 · 🇺🇸 United States · Comedians5 decades
  94. 94Nina SimoneNina Simone1933–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  95. 95Hafez al-AssadHafez al-Assad1930–2000 · Politicians5 decades
  96. 96Albert II of BelgiumAlbert II of Belgiumborn 1934 · Historical Figures0 decades
  97. 97Leonard NimoyLeonard Nimoy1931–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  98. 98Toni MorrisonToni Morrison1931–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  99. 99Angela LansburyAngela Lansbury1925–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  100. 100DalidaDalida1933–1987 · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Musicians8 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.