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 Hebrew books during the 1970s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish25,837German3,998French3,723Italian1,992Spanish1,424Russian763Chinese222Hebrew144
  1. 1Rav AshiRav Ashi352–427 · 4th century12
  2. 2Ahad Ha'amAhad Ha'am1856–1927 · 19th century · Writers8.9
  3. 3HaggaiHaggaiborn 550 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures8.1
  4. 4Golda MeirGolda Meir1898–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians7.1
  5. 5Moshe DayanMoshe Dayan1915–1981 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians7.0
  6. 6Saadia GaonSaadia Gaon882–942 · 10th century · Academics6.9
  7. 7Menachem BeginMenachem Begin1913–1992 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians6.3
  8. 8Paul the ApostlePaul the Apostle5–66 · 1st century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers5.3
  9. 9JosephusJosephus37–100 · 1st century · Writers5.3
  10. 10Moshe SharettMoshe Sharett1894–1965 · 20th century · Politicians4.7
  11. 11Johanan ben ZakaiJohanan ben Zakai50 BC–70 · 1st millennium BC4.4
  12. 12Sabbatai ZeviSabbatai Zevi1626–1676 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Religious Figures4.1
  13. 13Shimon PeresShimon Peres1923–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.9
  14. 14SBSimeon ben Gamliel IIborn 100 · 2nd century3.9
  15. 15NTNathan the Babylonianborn 101 · 2nd century3.8
  16. 16Levi EshkolLevi Eshkol1895–1969 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.6
  17. 17Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin1922–1995 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians3.5
  18. 18HabakkukHabakkuk626 BC–600 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures3.0
  19. 19Hai GaonHai Gaon939–1038 · 10th century · Writers2.9
  20. 20YYanaiborn 600 · 7th century · Writers2.8
  21. 21JBJudah ben Samuel of Regensburg1150–1217 · 12th century · Academics2.7
  22. 22Moses SoferMoses Sofer1762–1839 · 18th century2.6
  23. 23SISamuel ibn Naghrillah993–1055 · 11th century · Writers2.2
  24. 24Hillel the ElderHillel the Elder50 BC–100 · 1st millennium BC1.9
  25. 25Amos OzAmos Oz1939–2018 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Writers1.9
  26. 26Ehud OlmertEhud Olmertborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians1.8
  27. 27Shimon bar YochaiShimon bar Yochai100–160 · 2nd century1.7
  28. 28Hayyim ben Joseph VitalHayyim ben Joseph Vital1542–1620 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Musicians1.6
  29. 29Mendele Mocher SforimMendele Mocher Sforim1835–1917 · 19th century · Writers1.5
  30. 30Amram GaonAmram Gaon810–875 · 9th century1.4
  31. 31Judas MaccabeusJudas Maccabeus500 BC–160 BC · 1st millennium BC · Religious Figures1.4
  32. 32Nachman of BreslovNachman of Breslov1772–1810 · 19th century1.3
  33. 33Rabbeinu TamRabbeinu Tam1100–1171 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.3
  34. 34SBSimeon ben Zomadied 200 · 2nd century1.3
  35. 35Jacob EmdenJacob Emden1697–1776 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  36. 36Isaac AbrabanelIsaac Abrabanel1437–1508 · 15th century · Academics1.1
  37. 37Baal Shem TovBaal Shem Tov1698–1760 · 18th century1.1
  38. 38Ariel SharonAriel Sharon1928–2014 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.96
  39. 39Chaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai1724–1806 · 18th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Historical Figures0.77
  40. 40MYMordecai Yoffe1530–1612 · 16th century0.77
  41. 41Moses ben Jacob CordoveroMoses ben Jacob Cordovero1522–1570 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Actors0.76
  42. 42Shalom ShabaziShalom Shabazi1619–1719 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.76
  43. 43Joseph AlboJoseph Albo1380–1444 · 15th century · Academics0.72
  44. 44Immanuel the RomanImmanuel the Roman1260–1328 · 13th century · Writers0.69
  45. 45Chaim ibn AttarChaim ibn Attar1696–1743 · 18th century0.68
  46. 46Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi1745–1812 · 18th century · Academics0.68
  47. 47Yehuda AlhariziYehuda Alharizi1165–1225 · 13th century · Writers0.67
  48. 48Menasseh Ben IsraelMenasseh Ben Israel1604–1657 · 17th century · Academics0.65
  49. 49Solomon MolchoSolomon Molcho1500–1532 · 16th century · Academics0.63
  50. 50Yitzhak ShamirYitzhak Shamir1915–2012 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.61
  51. 51Jonathan EybeschutzJonathan Eybeschutz1690–1764 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany0.58
  52. 52Ishtori HaparchiIshtori Haparchi1280–1337 · 14th century · Scientists0.56
  53. 53Azariah dei RossiAzariah dei Rossi1513–1578 · 16th century · Writers0.55
  54. 54Chaim WeizmannChaim Weizmann1874–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.54
  55. 55Abraham bar HiyyaAbraham bar Hiyya1070–1136 · 12th century · Academics0.53
  56. 56Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza1632–1677 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Academics0.52
  57. 57Nathan of GazaNathan of Gaza1644–1680 · 17th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.50
  58. 58Moshe AlshichMoshe Alshich1508–1593 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey0.49
  59. 59JKJoseph Kimhi1105–1170 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.49
  60. 60BBBahya ben Asher1255–1340 · 13th century · Writers0.48
  61. 61Hasdai CrescasHasdai Crescas1340–1410 · 14th century · Academics0.45
  62. 62Gaon of VilniusGaon of Vilnius1720–1797 · 18th century0.45
  63. 63Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0.44
  64. 64JNJoseph Nasi1524–1579 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.43
  65. 65Menaḥem ben Shelomoh MeʾiriMenaḥem ben Shelomoh Meʾiri1249–1306 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0.42
  66. 66Shlomo Halevi AlkabetzShlomo Halevi Alkabetz1505–1576 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.41
  67. 67IBIsaac ben Moses Arama1420–1494 · 15th century0.41
  68. 68Isaac the BlindIsaac the Blind1160–1235 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.39
  69. 69Chaim HerzogChaim Herzog1918–1997 · 20th century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Politicians0.39
  70. 70Benjamin of TudelaBenjamin of Tudela1130–1174 · 12th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.37
  71. 71HBHanina ben Dosa40–75 · 1st century0.37
  72. 72Yonah GerondiYonah Gerondi1210–1263 · 13th century · Academics0.36
  73. 73IBIsrael ben Moses Najara1555–1628 · 16th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.35
  74. 74Dunash ben LabratDunash ben Labrat920–990 · 10th century · Writers0.32
  75. 75ZHZerachiah haLevi of Girona1130–1186 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.31
  76. 76EBEliezer ben Hurcanus100–200 · 2nd century0.25
  77. 77JIJonah ibn Janah990–1050 · 11th century · Academics0.25
  78. 78JBJedaiah ben Abraham Bedersi1270–1340 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.24
  79. 79OBObadiah ben Jacob Sforno1470–1549 · 16th century · Doctors0.24
  80. 80Levi Yitzchok of BerditchevLevi Yitzchok of Berditchev1740–1809 · 18th century · Musicians0.21
  81. 81PDProfiat Duran1350–1415 · 14th century · Musicians0.20
  82. 82Shabbethai DonnoloShabbethai Donnoloborn 913 · 10th century · Scientists0.19
  83. 83Moses ben JoshuaMoses ben Joshua1300–1362 · 14th century · Academics0.18
  84. 84EBEleazar ben Arach100–200 · 2nd century0.17
  85. 85Jacob ben AsherJacob ben Asher1269–1343 · 14th century · Writers0.16
  86. 86JCJoseph Caspi1280–1345 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.16
  87. 87Abraham ben Mordecai FarissolAbraham ben Mordecai Farissol1451–1525 · 15th century · Musicians0.14
  88. 88Daniel BombergDaniel Bomberg1483–1549 · 16th century0.14
  89. 89Joel SirkisJoel Sirkis1561–1640 · 16th century0.13
  90. 90Judah ben David HayyujJudah ben David Hayyuj945–1000 · 10th century · Writers0.12
  91. 91MKMoses Kimhi1127–1190 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France0.12
  92. 92RRashbam1080–1158 · 12th century0.11
  93. 93Joseph ibn TzaddikJoseph ibn Tzaddik1075–1149 · 12th century · Academics0.10
  94. 94Eleazar ben KillirEleazar ben Killir600–700 · 7th century · Writers0.09
  95. 95Herod ArchelausHerod Archelaus23 BC–18 · 1st century · Models0.08
  96. 96Onias IIIOnias III300 BC–170 BC · 1st millennium BC0.08
  97. 97MBMenahem ben Aaron ibn Zerah1310–1385 · 14th century · Writers0.08
  98. 98JIJacob ibn Habib1450–1516 · 15th century0.07
  99. 99Eliezer ben NathanEliezer ben Nathan1090–1170 · 12th century · Writers0.07
  100. 100Petrus AlphonsiPetrus Alphonsi1062–1140 · 11th century · Writers0.07

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.