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 English books during the 1970s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish25,837German3,998French3,723Italian1,992Spanish1,424Russian763Chinese222Hebrew144
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures25
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics6.3
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics6.0
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers4.8
  5. 5Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.5
  6. 6SealSealborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4.5
  7. 7George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.7
  8. 8AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3.1
  9. 9SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics2.8
  10. 10CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians2.7
  11. 11VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.6
  12. 12AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century1.6
  13. 13Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  14. 14John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.5
  15. 15PinkPinkborn 1979 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.5
  16. 16Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.4
  17. 17Richard NixonRichard Nixon1913–1994 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  18. 18Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  19. 19OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.3
  20. 20MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.3
  21. 21EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.3
  22. 22PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.2
  23. 23Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.2
  24. 24CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.1
  25. 25RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.1
  26. 26Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  27. 27Indira GandhiIndira Gandhi1917–1984 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians1.1
  28. 28Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.1
  29. 29Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.1
  30. 30Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics1.1
  31. 31Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter1924–2024 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  32. 32HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.99
  33. 33Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians0.97
  34. 34Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.97
  35. 35Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.97
  36. 36Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics0.96
  37. 37John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.96
  38. 38LSLiu Shao426–453 · 5th century0.94
  39. 39Mahatma GandhiMahatma Gandhi1869–1948 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Activists0.94
  40. 40Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.92
  41. 41RamakrishnaRamakrishna1836–1886 · 19th century · 🇮🇳 India · Academics0.91
  42. 42CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures0.89
  43. 43AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC0.89
  44. 44EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.88
  45. 45Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.87
  46. 46GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.83
  47. 47Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru1889–1964 · 20th century · 🇮🇳 India · Politicians0.83
  48. 48William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists0.82
  49. 49John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.78
  50. 50Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.77
  51. 51SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.77
  52. 52SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.77
  53. 53Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh1890–1969 · 20th century · Politicians0.76
  54. 54John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.76
  55. 55William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.75
  56. 56BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.75
  57. 57T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot1888–1965 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.74
  58. 58Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France0.74
  59. 59Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians0.74
  60. 60Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.74
  61. 61Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century0.74
  62. 62HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century0.74
  63. 63Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.74
  64. 64HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.74
  65. 65SukarnoSukarno1901–1970 · 20th century · 🇮🇩 Indonesia · Politicians0.73
  66. 66LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.73
  67. 67George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.71
  68. 68John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures0.71
  69. 69HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.70
  70. 70ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.69
  71. 71Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson1908–1973 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.69
  72. 72John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.66
  73. 73Ralph NaderRalph Naderborn 1934 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.66
  74. 74Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.66
  75. 75Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.65
  76. 76UsherUsherborn 1978 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0.64
  77. 77Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf1882–1941 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.64
  78. 78AeschylusAeschylus525 BC–456 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.63
  79. 79Chevy ChaseChevy Chaseborn 1943 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.62
  80. 80James MadisonJames Madison1751–1836 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.62
  81. 81CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.62
  82. 82Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.62
  83. 83Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.62
  84. 84Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.62
  85. 85Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.62
  86. 86Jane AustenJane Austen1775–1817 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.61
  87. 87Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.60
  88. 88PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.60
  89. 89Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman1819–1892 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.59
  90. 90Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0.58
  91. 91OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.58
  92. 92Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century0.58
  93. 93HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century0.58
  94. 94Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians0.58
  95. 95AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.56
  96. 96John DeweyJohn Dewey1859–1952 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.54
  97. 97Thomas MoreThomas More1478–1535 · 16th century · Politicians0.54
  98. 98Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.54
  99. 99D. H. LawrenceD. H. Lawrence1885–1930 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.53

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.