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 Chinese books during the 1970s — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish25,837German3,998French3,723Italian1,992Spanish1,424Russian763Chinese222Hebrew144
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians596
  2. 2Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians266
  3. 3Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians235
  4. 4Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers177
  5. 5Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians104
  6. 6Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians69
  7. 7ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics36
  8. 8Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians28
  9. 9Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors25
  10. 10Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians19
  11. 11Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers12
  12. 12LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.1
  13. 13Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.7
  14. 14GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers5.6
  15. 15Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.5
  16. 16Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.0
  17. 17Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers4.4
  18. 18Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians4.3
  19. 19WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists4.3
  20. 20Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers4.1
  21. 21Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.0
  22. 22Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians3.9
  23. 23Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians3.8
  24. 24Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers3.1
  25. 25Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics3.0
  26. 26Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.9
  27. 27Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.6
  28. 28LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.5
  29. 29Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers2.4
  30. 30Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.4
  31. 31Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists2.2
  32. 32Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.9
  33. 33Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics1.9
  34. 34Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.9
  35. 35Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.5
  36. 36Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.5
  37. 37Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.5
  38. 38Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.5
  39. 39Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.4
  40. 40Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.3
  41. 41Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  42. 42Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics1.1
  43. 43Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers1.0
  44. 44Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century0.90
  45. 45Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.88
  46. 46Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.78
  47. 47Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.77
  48. 48Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.69
  49. 49Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.62
  50. 50Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.57
  51. 51Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.52
  52. 52Liu YuxiLiu Yuxi772–842 · 9th century · Writers0.52
  53. 53Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.49
  54. 54Song YingxingSong Yingxing1587–1666 · 17th century · Writers0.48
  55. 55Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.47
  56. 56Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.45
  57. 57Wu QiWu Qi440 BC–381 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.45
  58. 58Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.42
  59. 59Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.41
  60. 60Huang ChaoHuang Chao801–884 · 9th century · Writers0.39
  61. 61Emperor Wu of HanEmperor Wu of Han156 BC–87 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.39
  62. 62MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.38
  63. 63Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.38
  64. 64Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.36
  65. 65Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.35
  66. 66Jia YiJia Yi200 BC–168 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.31
  67. 67Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.31
  68. 68KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.31
  69. 69Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.30
  70. 70Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.26
  71. 71Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.24
  72. 72Zhang JuzhengZhang Juzheng1525–1582 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.24
  73. 73Hui ShiHui Shi370 BC–310 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.24
  74. 74Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.23
  75. 75Chien-Shiung WuChien-Shiung Wu1912–1997 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Scientists0.23
  76. 76Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.22
  77. 77Gu KaizhiGu Kaizhi345–406 · 4th century · Artists0.22
  78. 78Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.22
  79. 79Wen TongWen Tong1018–1079 · 11th century · Artists0.22
  80. 80Jet LiJet Liborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Athletes0.20
  81. 81Guan ZhongGuan Zhong720 BC–645 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.20
  82. 82Chen LiangChen Liang1143–1195 · 12th century · Academics0.20
  83. 83Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians0.17
  84. 84Wang BiWang Bi226–249 · 3rd century · Politicians0.16
  85. 85Yang HuiYang Hui1238–1298 · 13th century · Academics0.16
  86. 86Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.16
  87. 87Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.16
  88. 88Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.16
  89. 89Wu JingziWu Jingzi1701–1754 · 18th century · Writers0.15
  90. 90ZengziZengzi504 BC–435 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.14
  91. 91Lü BuweiLü Buwei291 BC–235 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.14
  92. 92Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.13
  93. 93Qin JiushaoQin Jiushao1208–1261 · 13th century · Academics0.13
  94. 94Zhu ShijieZhu Shijie1249–1314 · 13th century · Academics0.13
  95. 95Chen Zi'angChen Zi'ang661–702 · 7th century · Writers0.13
  96. 96FaxianFaxian340–422 · 4th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.13
  97. 97Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.12
  98. 98Lu JiuyuanLu Jiuyuan1139–1193 · 12th century · Academics0.11
  99. 99Zhang XianzhongZhang Xianzhong1606–1647 · 17th century0.11
  100. 100Xu ShenXu Shen58–147 · 1st century · Writers0.11

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.