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 Chinese books during the 1960s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish24,578German3,951French3,665Italian1,962Spanish1,386Russian727Chinese146Hebrew141
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1260
  2. 2Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians94
  3. 3Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers71
  4. 4Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians65
  5. 5Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians65
  6. 6Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians56
  7. 7ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics21
  8. 8Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors19
  9. 9Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics8.5
  10. 10Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians8.2
  11. 11LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics8.0
  12. 12Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians7.5
  13. 13GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers5.2
  14. 14Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.1
  15. 15Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.0
  16. 16Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians3.1
  17. 17Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century2.8
  18. 18Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.4
  19. 19Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.2
  20. 20Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers2.1
  21. 21Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.7
  22. 22Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.6
  23. 23Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers1.4
  24. 24Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.4
  25. 25Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.2
  26. 26WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists1.2
  27. 27Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.2
  28. 28Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.1
  29. 29Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  30. 30Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers1.1
  31. 31Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.95
  32. 32Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians0.84
  33. 33Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.83
  34. 34Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.78
  35. 35Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.78
  36. 36Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.77
  37. 37Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians0.73
  38. 38Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.71
  39. 39Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.71
  40. 40Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.67
  41. 41Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.55
  42. 42Yu QianYu Qian1398–1457 · 15th century · Writers0.55
  43. 43Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.38
  44. 44Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.37
  45. 45Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.36
  46. 46Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.34
  47. 47Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers0.31
  48. 48Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.29
  49. 49Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.28
  50. 50Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.27
  51. 51Zhang XuechengZhang Xuecheng1738–1801 · 18th century · Academics0.27
  52. 52Wen TianxiangWen Tianxiang1236–1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.27
  53. 53Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.24
  54. 54Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century0.23
  55. 55Ouyang XiuOuyang Xiu1007–1072 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.23
  56. 56KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.22
  57. 57Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.22
  58. 58Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.21
  59. 59LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.21
  60. 60Chen Zi'angChen Zi'ang661–702 · 7th century · Writers0.20
  61. 61Zhuo WenjunZhuo Wenjun175 BC–121 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.19
  62. 62Guan ZhongGuan Zhong720 BC–645 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.16
  63. 63Ruan YuanRuan Yuan1764–1849 · 18th century · Academics0.16
  64. 64Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.15
  65. 65Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.15
  66. 66MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.15
  67. 67Wu JingziWu Jingzi1701–1754 · 18th century · Writers0.12
  68. 68Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong1334–1400 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.11
  69. 69Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.10
  70. 70Gu KaizhiGu Kaizhi345–406 · 4th century · Artists0.10
  71. 71Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.10
  72. 72Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.10
  73. 73Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.10
  74. 74WSWang Shifu1250–1307 · 13th century · Writers0.09
  75. 75FaxianFaxian340–422 · 4th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.09
  76. 76Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.09
  77. 77Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.09
  78. 78Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.08
  79. 79LQLiu Qing78–106 · 2nd century0.07
  80. 80Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.07
  81. 81Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.07
  82. 82Liu HuiLiu Hui225–295 · 3rd century · Academics0.07
  83. 83Kong ShangrenKong Shangren1648–1718 · 17th century · Writers0.07
  84. 84Shi KefaShi Kefa1601–1645 · 17th century · Politicians0.07
  85. 85He JinHe Jin135–189 · 2nd century · Politicians0.07
  86. 86Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians0.07
  87. 87Guan YuGuan Yu160–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.07
  88. 88Zhang JuzhengZhang Juzheng1525–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.06
  89. 89Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.06
  90. 90Wen TongWen Tong1018–1079 · 11th century · Artists0.06
  91. 91Wu Cheng'enWu Cheng'en1500–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.06
  92. 92Zhu ShijieZhu Shijie1249–1314 · 13th century · Academics0.05
  93. 93Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians0.05
  94. 94Song YingxingSong Yingxing1587–1666 · 17th century · Writers0.05
  95. 95Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.05
  96. 96Wang ZhaojunWang Zhaojun50 BC–18 · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.04
  97. 97Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.04
  98. 98Xi ShiXi Shi506 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC0.04
  99. 99Liu YuxiLiu Yuxi772–842 · 9th century · Writers0.04
  100. 100Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.04

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.