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 French books during the 1960s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish24,578German3,951French3,665Italian1,962Spanish1,386Russian727Chinese146Hebrew141
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers31
  2. 2MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers14
  3. 3Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures14
  4. 4StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13
  5. 5Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8.3
  6. 6MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6.2
  7. 7Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures6.1
  8. 8Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5.6
  9. 9François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures4.0
  10. 10Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.7
  11. 11Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France3.6
  12. 12George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.3
  13. 13Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.2
  14. 14HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France2.9
  15. 15Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.9
  16. 16Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.9
  17. 17Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.9
  18. 18Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.4
  19. 19Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.0
  20. 20Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  21. 21Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.8
  22. 22Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  23. 23André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.8
  24. 24Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.8
  25. 25Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  26. 26Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.7
  27. 27Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.7
  28. 28Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor1500–1558 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.6
  29. 29Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.5
  30. 30Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.4
  31. 31Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  32. 32Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  33. 33Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  34. 34François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  35. 35André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  36. 36Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.3
  37. 37Le CorbusierLe Corbusier1887–1965 · 20th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects1.3
  38. 38Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  39. 39Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.1
  40. 40AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  41. 41Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  42. 42Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  43. 43Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  44. 44Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  45. 45Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  46. 46Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.0
  47. 47Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.0
  48. 48André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.99
  49. 49Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.96
  50. 50Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.95
  51. 51Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.91
  52. 52Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.90
  53. 53Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.88
  54. 54Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.87
  55. 55Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.87
  56. 56Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.86
  57. 57Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.84
  58. 58Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.83
  59. 59Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.82
  60. 60Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.82
  61. 61Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.79
  62. 62Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.78
  63. 63Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.77
  64. 64Robert SchumanRobert Schuman1886–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.77
  65. 65Saint-John PerseSaint-John Perse1887–1975 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.77
  66. 66La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.77
  67. 67Raymond AronRaymond Aron1905–1983 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.76
  68. 68Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.76
  69. 69Guillaume ApollinaireGuillaume Apollinaire1880–1918 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.75
  70. 70Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.75
  71. 71Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  72. 72Gabriel MarcelGabriel Marcel1889–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.74
  73. 73Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.72
  74. 74Jules RenardJules Renard1864–1910 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.72
  75. 75André MauroisAndré Maurois1885–1967 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.71
  76. 76Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.68
  77. 77Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.67
  78. 78Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.66
  79. 79François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.65
  80. 80Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.65
  81. 81Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.64
  82. 82Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.63
  83. 83NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.62
  84. 84Patrice LumumbaPatrice Lumumba1925–1961 · 20th century · Politicians0.61
  85. 85Stéphane MallarméStéphane Mallarmé1842–1898 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.61
  86. 86Louis de BroglieLouis de Broglie1892–1987 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists0.60
  87. 87André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.60
  88. 88Ferhat AbbasFerhat Abbas1899–1985 · 20th century · Politicians0.59
  89. 89Maurice BarrèsMaurice Barrès1862–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.55
  90. 90Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  91. 91Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  92. 92Louis BonaparteLouis Bonaparte1778–1846 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.53
  93. 93Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.52
  94. 94Jean GiraudouxJean Giraudoux1882–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.50
  95. 95Arthur RimbaudArthur Rimbaud1854–1891 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.50
  96. 96Jean BodinJean Bodin1530–1596 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.49
  97. 97Vincent AuriolVincent Auriol1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.49
  98. 98Henri de RégnierHenri de Régnier1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.49
  99. 99Charles, Duke of OrléansCharles, Duke of Orléans1394–1465 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.49
  100. 100Eugène SueEugène Sue1804–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.49

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.