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 French books during the 1970s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish25,837German3,998French3,723Italian1,992Spanish1,424Russian763Chinese222Hebrew144
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers28
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures13
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11
  4. 4StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11
  5. 5MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7.3
  6. 6Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6.2
  7. 7Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5.5
  8. 8Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures5.3
  9. 9François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures4.7
  10. 10Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.4
  11. 11George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.2
  12. 12Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.2
  13. 13Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France3.1
  14. 14André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.9
  15. 15HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France2.8
  16. 16Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.8
  17. 17Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.5
  18. 18Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.4
  19. 19François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.2
  20. 20Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.2
  21. 21Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.2
  22. 22Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.1
  23. 23Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.0
  24. 24Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  25. 25André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  26. 26Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  27. 27Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor1500–1558 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.7
  28. 28André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  29. 29Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.6
  30. 30Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.6
  31. 31Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.5
  32. 32Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.4
  33. 33Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.4
  34. 34Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.4
  35. 35Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  36. 36Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  37. 37Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  38. 38AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.3
  39. 39Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  40. 40Le CorbusierLe Corbusier1887–1965 · 20th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects1.3
  41. 41François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  42. 42Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.2
  43. 43Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  44. 44Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.2
  45. 45Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  46. 46Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  47. 47Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  48. 48Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.1
  49. 49Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  50. 50Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  51. 51Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  52. 52Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.97
  53. 53Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.95
  54. 54Saint-John PerseSaint-John Perse1887–1975 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.93
  55. 55Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.91
  56. 56Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.90
  57. 57Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.89
  58. 58Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.87
  59. 59Roger Martin du GardRoger Martin du Gard1881–1958 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.87
  60. 60Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.86
  61. 61Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.85
  62. 62Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.85
  63. 63Antonin ArtaudAntonin Artaud1896–1948 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83
  64. 64Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.82
  65. 65Raymond AronRaymond Aron1905–1983 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.78
  66. 66Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.77
  67. 67Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.77
  68. 68Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.76
  69. 69Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.76
  70. 70Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.75
  71. 71Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.74
  72. 72Gabriel MarcelGabriel Marcel1889–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.71
  73. 73Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.71
  74. 74Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.70
  75. 75Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.70
  76. 76Guillaume ApollinaireGuillaume Apollinaire1880–1918 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.67
  77. 77Robert SchumanRobert Schuman1886–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.65
  78. 78Vincent AuriolVincent Auriol1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.63
  79. 79Jean MonnetJean Monnet1888–1979 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.62
  80. 80Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.61
  81. 81La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.59
  82. 82Jules RenardJules Renard1864–1910 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.59
  83. 83André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.58
  84. 84Charles, Duke of OrléansCharles, Duke of Orléans1394–1465 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  85. 85Boris VianBoris Vian1920–1959 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  86. 86Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.56
  87. 87Marie of France, Countess of ChampagneMarie of France, Countess of Champagne1145–1198 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.54
  88. 88Marie de FranceMarie de France1101–1300 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.54
  89. 89Marie of Valois, Duchess of BarMarie of Valois, Duchess of Bar1344–1404 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.54
  90. 90Marie of France, Duchess of BrabantMarie of France, Duchess of Brabant1198–1224 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.54
  91. 91Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.54
  92. 92Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.54
  93. 93Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Artists0.53
  94. 94Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  95. 95Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  96. 96NostradamusNostradamus1503–1566 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.52
  97. 97Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.51
  98. 98Aimé CésaireAimé Césaire1913–2008 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.51
  99. 99Jacques MaritainJacques Maritain1882–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.51
  100. 100Pierre LerouxPierre Leroux1797–1871 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.51

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.