Claim profile
1970–1979

The 1970s

Whose names filled the books of the 1970s — 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 1970s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish25,837German3,998French3,723Italian1,992Spanish1,424Russian763Chinese222Hebrew144
  1. 1Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers14
  2. 2Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics12
  3. 3Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany7.9
  4. 4Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.9
  5. 5Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.9
  6. 6Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures7.9
  7. 7NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7.6
  8. 8Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics6.9
  9. 9Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6.2
  10. 10Heinrich MannHeinrich Mann1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5.0
  11. 11Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.8
  12. 12Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.8
  13. 13Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.8
  14. 14Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.8
  15. 15Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.8
  16. 16Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.8
  17. 17John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.7
  18. 18John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures3.7
  19. 19John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models3.7
  20. 20John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.7
  21. 21John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.7
  22. 22John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.7
  23. 23Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.7
  24. 24John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures3.7
  25. 25Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics3.6
  26. 26Rosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists3.6
  27. 27Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.6
  28. 28Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.5
  29. 29Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.2
  30. 30Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers3.1
  31. 31Anna SeghersAnna Seghers1900–1983 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.8
  32. 32WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  33. 33William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.8
  34. 34William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.8
  35. 35William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  36. 36WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  37. 37WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  38. 38Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  39. 39Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  40. 40William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.8
  41. 41Karl KrausKarl Kraus1874–1936 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers2.7
  42. 42Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.5
  43. 43Helmut SchmidtHelmut Schmidt1918–2015 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.5
  44. 44Walter UlbrichtWalter Ulbricht1893–1973 · 20th century · Politicians2.5
  45. 45Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers2.4
  46. 46Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians2.4
  47. 47Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians2.4
  48. 48ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.1
  49. 49HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  50. 50HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures2.0
  51. 51Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  52. 52Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures2.0
  53. 53Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians2.0
  54. 54Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.0
  55. 55Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.0
  56. 56Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  57. 57Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  58. 58Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.0
  59. 59Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  60. 60Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  61. 61Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  62. 62Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures2.0
  63. 63Karl LiebknechtKarl Liebknecht1871–1919 · 20th century · Politicians2.0
  64. 64Hermann HesseHermann Hesse1877–1962 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.9
  65. 65Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.9
  66. 66Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.9
  67. 67Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.9
  68. 68Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer1876–1967 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.9
  69. 69William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.9
  70. 70WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.9
  71. 71William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.9
  72. 72William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.9
  73. 73William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.9
  74. 74William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century1.9
  75. 75Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.9
  76. 76William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.9
  77. 77William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.9
  78. 78Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.8
  79. 79Wilhelm PieckWilhelm Pieck1876–1960 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.8
  80. 80Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  81. 81Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  82. 82Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.7
  83. 83Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  84. 84Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.7
  85. 85Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7
  86. 86Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7
  87. 87Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  88. 88Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.7
  89. 89Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.7
  90. 90Max FrischMax Frisch1911–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers1.6
  91. 91Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.6
  92. 92Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  93. 93Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  94. 94HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.6
  95. 95Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  96. 96HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.6
  97. 97HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  98. 98HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.6
  99. 99Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.6
  100. 100HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.6

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 1970s, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

  1. 1Pope FrancisPope Francis1936–2025 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writersnot measured—
  2. 2Elvis PresleyElvis Presley1935–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  3. 3Bob DylanBob Dylanborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  4. 4Ali KhameneiAli Khamenei1939–2026 · Politicians4 decades
  5. 5Stephen HawkingStephen Hawking1942–2018 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Scientists4 decades
  6. 6Joe BidenJoe Bidenborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Muammar GaddafiMuammar Gaddafi1942–2011 · Politicians2 decades
  8. 8Robert De NiroRobert De Niroborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  9. 9Bruce LeeBruce Lee1940–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  10. 10John LennonJohn Lennon1940–1980 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians6 decades
  11. 11Silvio BerlusconiSilvio Berlusconi1936–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  12. 12Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali1942–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Athletes8 decades
  13. 13Mario Vargas LlosaMario Vargas Llosa1936–2025 · Writers7 decades
  14. 14Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein1937–2006 · Politicians6 decades
  15. 1514th Dalai Lama14th Dalai Lamaborn 1935 · 🇨🇳 China · Politiciansnot measured—
  16. 16PeléPelé1940–2022 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Footballers3 decades
  17. 17Al PacinoAl Pacinoborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  18. 18Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians6 decades
  19. 19Alain DelonAlain Delon1935–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  20. 20Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneyborn 1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians6 decades
  21. 21Woody AllenWoody Allenborn 1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  22. 22Juan Carlos I of SpainJuan Carlos I of Spainborn 1938 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures5 decades
  23. 23Jack NicholsonJack Nicholsonborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  24. 24Vladimir VysotskyVladimir Vysotsky1938–1980 · Musicians5 decades
  25. 25Morgan FreemanMorgan Freemanborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  26. 26Harrison FordHarrison Fordborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  27. 27Chuck NorrisChuck Norris1940–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  28. 28Valentina TereshkovaValentina Tereshkovaborn 1937 · Politicians6 decades
  29. 29Jim MorrisonJim Morrison1943–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  30. 30Sergio MattarellaSergio Mattarellaborn 1941 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4 decades
  31. 31Anthony HopkinsAnthony Hopkinsborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  32. 32Tina TurnerTina Turner1939–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  33. 33Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix1942–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  34. 34Gerhard SchröderGerhard Schröderborn 1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  35. 35George HarrisonGeorge Harrison1943–2001 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians8 decades
  36. 36Jane FondaJane Fondaborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  37. 37Robert RedfordRobert Redford1936–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  38. 38Martin ScorseseMartin Scorseseborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  39. 39Dustin HoffmanDustin Hoffmanborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  40. 40Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisandborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  41. 41Ringo StarrRingo Starrborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  42. 42Joan BaezJoan Baezborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  43. 43Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarotti1935–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians5 decades
  44. 44Bernie SandersBernie Sandersborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3 decades
  45. 45Hayao MiyazakiHayao Miyazakiborn 1941 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Directors2 decades
  46. 46Harald V of NorwayHarald V of Norwayborn 1937 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Historical Figures0 decades
  47. 47George LucasGeorge Lucasborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  48. 48Michael DouglasMichael Douglasborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  49. 49Mick JaggerMick Jaggerborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  50. 50Claudia CardinaleClaudia Cardinale1938–2025 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  51. 51Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin1942–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  52. 52Catherine DeneuveCatherine Deneuveborn 1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  53. 53Jon VoightJon Voightborn 1938 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  54. 54Lech WałęsaLech Wałęsaborn 1943 · Politicians1 decades
  55. 55Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppolaborn 1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  56. 56Janis JoplinJanis Joplin1943–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  57. 57Julio IglesiasJulio Iglesiasborn 1943 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Musicians8 decades
  58. 58Dick CheneyDick Cheney1941–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  59. 59Kim Jong-ilKim Jong-il1941–2011 · Politicians4 decades
  60. 60Donald SutherlandDonald Sutherland1935–2024 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Actors7 decades
  61. 61Slobodan MiloševićSlobodan Milošević1941–2006 · Politicians2 decades
  62. 62Julie AndrewsJulie Andrewsborn 1935 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  63. 63Ridley ScottRidley Scottborn 1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors4 decades
  64. 64Frank ZappaFrank Zappa1940–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  65. 65Alex FergusonAlex Fergusonborn 1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Footballers2 decades
  66. 66Bobby FischerBobby Fischer1943–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  67. 67Adriano CelentanoAdriano Celentanoborn 1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  68. 68Ian McKellenIan McKellenborn 1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  69. 69Margrethe II of DenmarkMargrethe II of Denmarkborn 1940 · Historical Figures0 decades
  70. 70Margaret AtwoodMargaret Atwoodborn 1939 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Writers5 decades
  71. 71Salman of Saudi ArabiaSalman of Saudi Arabiaborn 1935 · Historical Figures0 decades
  72. 72Beatrix of the NetherlandsBeatrix of the Netherlandsborn 1938 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Historical Figures0 decades
  73. 73Alberto FujimoriAlberto Fujimori1938–2024 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians4 decades
  74. 74Ben KingsleyBen Kingsleyborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  75. 75Sepp BlatterSepp Blatterborn 1936 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians2 decades
  76. 76John McCainJohn McCain1936–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians4 decades
  77. 77Mahmoud AbbasMahmoud Abbasborn 1935 · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians2 decades
  78. 78Keith RichardsKeith Richardsborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4 decades
  79. 79Danny DeVitoDanny DeVitoborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors3 decades
  80. 80Diana RossDiana Rossborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  81. 81Werner HerzogWerner Herzogborn 1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors6 decades
  82. 82Joe CockerJoe Cocker1944–2014 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians5 decades
  83. 83Bill CosbyBill Cosbyborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors6 decades
  84. 84Larry EllisonLarry Ellisonborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders3 decades
  85. 85Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent1936–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers5 decades
  86. 86Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye1939–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  87. 87Ian McShaneIan McShaneborn 1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  88. 88Angela DavisAngela Davisborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics5 decades
  89. 89Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosiborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3 decades
  90. 90EusébioEusébio1942–2014 · 🇵🇹 Portugal · Footballersnot measured—
  91. 91Isabel AllendeIsabel Allendeborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  92. 92Jimmy PageJimmy Pageborn 1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  93. 93Christopher WalkenChristopher Walkenborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors4 decades
  94. 94Patrick StewartPatrick Stewartborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  95. 95Romy SchneiderRomy Schneider1938–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  96. 96Terry GilliamTerry Gilliamborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors4 decades
  97. 97Martin SheenMartin Sheenborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors5 decades
  98. 98Ratko MladićRatko Mladićborn 19431 decades
  99. 99Roger WatersRoger Watersborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians3 decades
  100. 100Malcolm McDowellMalcolm McDowellborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 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.