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 Russian books during the 1960s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish24,578German3,951French3,665Italian1,962Spanish1,386Russian727Chinese146Hebrew141
  1. 1Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians2.7
  2. 2Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.3
  3. 3Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians1.4
  4. 4Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures1.4
  5. 5Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.2
  6. 6Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.2
  7. 7Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers1.1
  8. 8Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.98
  9. 9Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.98
  10. 10Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev1894–1971 · 20th century · Politicians0.96
  11. 11Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.94
  12. 12Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.90
  13. 13Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.85
  14. 14Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.82
  15. 15Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians0.82
  16. 16Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.79
  17. 17Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.76
  18. 18Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.73
  19. 19Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.73
  20. 20Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.70
  21. 21Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.70
  22. 22Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.63
  23. 23Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers0.61
  24. 24Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.60
  25. 25Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.58
  26. 26Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.57
  27. 27Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.55
  28. 28Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.52
  29. 29Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · 20th century · Politicians0.51
  30. 30Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.49
  31. 31Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.49
  32. 32Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.48
  33. 33Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.47
  34. 34Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.47
  35. 35Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.47
  36. 36Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.46
  37. 37Béla KunBéla Kun1886–1938 · 20th century · Activists0.46
  38. 38Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.43
  39. 39Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.42
  40. 40Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.42
  41. 41Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.41
  42. 42Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.40
  43. 43Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.39
  44. 44Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.36
  45. 45Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · 20th century · Politicians0.35
  46. 46Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.33
  47. 47Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.33
  48. 48Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.31
  49. 49Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.31
  50. 50Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.31
  51. 51Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.31
  52. 52Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.30
  53. 53Georgi DimitrovGeorgi Dimitrov1882–1949 · 20th century · Politicians0.30
  54. 54Gherman TitovGherman Titov1935–2000 · 20th century · Writers0.29
  55. 55Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  56. 56Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.28
  57. 57Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.28
  58. 58Nâzım HikmetNâzım Hikmet1902–1963 · 20th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.27
  59. 59Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.27
  60. 60Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.26
  61. 61Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.25
  62. 62Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.25
  63. 63Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.24
  64. 64Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.23
  65. 65Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.22
  66. 66Yanka KupalaYanka Kupala1882–1942 · 20th century · Writers0.22
  67. 67Shoqan WalikhanovShoqan Walikhanov1835–1865 · 19th century · Academics0.22
  68. 68Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.21
  69. 69Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.21
  70. 70Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.21
  71. 71Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · 19th century · Writers0.21
  72. 72Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.20
  73. 73Felix DzerzhinskyFelix Dzerzhinsky1877–1926 · 20th century · Activists0.19
  74. 74Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers0.18
  75. 75Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.17
  76. 76Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.17
  77. 77Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.17
  78. 78Korney ChukovskyKorney Chukovsky1882–1969 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  79. 79Yakub KolasYakub Kolas1882–1956 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  80. 80Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  81. 81Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.17
  82. 82Alexander UlyanovAlexander Ulyanov1866–1887 · 19th century · Activists0.17
  83. 83Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.16
  84. 84Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.16
  85. 85Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · 19th century · Scientists0.16
  86. 86Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.15
  87. 87Mikhail FrunzeMikhail Frunze1885–1925 · 20th century · Politicians0.15
  88. 88Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.15
  89. 89Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.14
  90. 90Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.14
  91. 91Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.14
  92. 92Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.14
  93. 93Joseph VolotskyJoseph Volotsky1440–1515 · 15th century · Writers0.14
  94. 94Ilia ChavchavadzeIlia Chavchavadze1837–1907 · 19th century · Writers0.13
  95. 95Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.13
  96. 96Vera FignerVera Figner1852–1942 · 19th century · Activists0.12
  97. 97Alexander RadishchevAlexander Radishchev1749–1802 · 18th century · Writers0.12
  98. 98Sergey KirovSergey Kirov1886–1934 · 20th century · Politicians0.12
  99. 99Vissarion BelinskyVissarion Belinsky1811–1848 · 19th century · Academics0.12
  100. 100Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.11

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.