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 Russian books during the 1970s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish25,837German3,998French3,723Italian1,992Spanish1,424Russian763Chinese222Hebrew144
  1. 1Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians2.6
  2. 2Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.1
  3. 3Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev1906–1982 · 20th century · Politicians1.4
  4. 4Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians1.3
  5. 5Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  6. 6Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.0
  7. 7Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.91
  8. 8Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians0.90
  9. 9Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.87
  10. 10Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.83
  11. 11Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.82
  12. 12HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.79
  13. 13Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures0.75
  14. 14Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models0.74
  15. 15Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.72
  16. 16Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.70
  17. 17Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians0.68
  18. 18Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.65
  19. 19Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.62
  20. 20Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.59
  21. 21Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.55
  22. 22Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.54
  23. 23Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.54
  24. 24Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.53
  25. 25Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.52
  26. 26Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers0.52
  27. 27Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.52
  28. 28Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.51
  29. 29Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.50
  30. 30Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.50
  31. 31Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.50
  32. 32Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.48
  33. 33Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.47
  34. 34Georgi DimitrovGeorgi Dimitrov1882–1949 · 20th century · Politicians0.45
  35. 35Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · 20th century · Politicians0.42
  36. 36Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.42
  37. 37Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.42
  38. 38Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.39
  39. 39Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.39
  40. 40Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.38
  41. 41Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.37
  42. 42Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.35
  43. 43Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · 19th century · Scientists0.33
  44. 44Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.32
  45. 45Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.31
  46. 46Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.30
  47. 47Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.30
  48. 48Béla KunBéla Kun1886–1938 · 20th century · Activists0.29
  49. 49Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.29
  50. 50Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  51. 51Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.28
  52. 52Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.28
  53. 53Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.28
  54. 54Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.28
  55. 55Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.27
  56. 56Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.27
  57. 57Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.26
  58. 58Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.26
  59. 59Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.26
  60. 60Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · 20th century · Politicians0.26
  61. 61Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.25
  62. 62Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.25
  63. 63Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.25
  64. 64Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.24
  65. 65Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.23
  66. 66Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.23
  67. 67Rasul GamzatovRasul Gamzatov1923–2003 · 20th century · Writers0.22
  68. 68Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.22
  69. 69Nâzım HikmetNâzım Hikmet1902–1963 · 20th century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers0.21
  70. 70Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  71. 71Yanka KupalaYanka Kupala1882–1942 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  72. 72Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.20
  73. 73Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.19
  74. 74Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.19
  75. 75Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.19
  76. 76Yakub KolasYakub Kolas1882–1956 · 20th century · Writers0.18
  77. 77Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · 20th century · Writers0.18
  78. 78Korney ChukovskyKorney Chukovsky1882–1969 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  79. 79Ilia ChavchavadzeIlia Chavchavadze1837–1907 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  80. 80Felix DzerzhinskyFelix Dzerzhinsky1877–1926 · 20th century · Activists0.16
  81. 81Kosta KhetagurovKosta Khetagurov1859–1906 · 19th century · Writers0.16
  82. 82Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.15
  83. 83Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.14
  84. 84Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.14
  85. 85Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.14
  86. 86Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.14
  87. 87Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.14
  88. 88Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.14
  89. 89Vasily ShukshinVasily Shukshin1929–1974 · 20th century · Actors0.13
  90. 90Vasili III of RussiaVasili III of Russia1479–1533 · 16th century · Politicians0.13
  91. 91Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.13
  92. 92Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.12
  93. 93Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.12
  94. 94Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.12
  95. 95Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.12
  96. 96Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.12
  97. 97Anatoly LunacharskyAnatoly Lunacharsky1875–1933 · 20th century · Activists0.12
  98. 98Zoya KosmodemyanskayaZoya Kosmodemyanskaya1923–1941 · 20th century0.11
  99. 99Alexey LeonovAlexey Leonov1934–2019 · 20th century · Artists0.11
  100. 100Sergei KorolevSergei Korolev1906–1966 · 20th century · Scientists0.11

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.