Claim profile
1900–1999

The 20th century

Whose names filled the books of the 20th century — 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 German books during the 20th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany8.0
  2. 2Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0
  3. 3Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0
  4. 4Frederick William of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0
  5. 5Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6.1
  6. 6NovalisNovalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5.5
  7. 7Karl MarxKarl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4.7
  8. 8Jean PaulJean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4.3
  9. 9Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.3
  10. 10Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.3
  11. 11Frederick II of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.3
  12. 12Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgFrederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.3
  13. 13Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.3
  14. 14Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.3
  15. 15Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-WeissenfelsJohann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9
  16. 16John George, Elector of BrandenburgJohn George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.9
  17. 17John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-HilpoltsteinJohn Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8
  18. 18John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.8
  19. 19John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-RudolstadtJohn Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  20. 20John Frederick, Duke of WürttembergJohn Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  21. 21John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  22. 22John Frederick, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.8
  23. 23Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians2.6
  24. 24William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.6
  25. 25William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.6
  26. 26Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  27. 27WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  28. 28WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  29. 29William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.6
  30. 30WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.6
  31. 31Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  32. 32William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.6
  33. 33Maria TheresaMaria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.5
  34. 34Max WeberMax Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.5
  35. 35ParacelsusParacelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.5
  36. 36Richard WagnerRichard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians2.4
  37. 37Friedrich EngelsFriedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.3
  38. 38William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  39. 39William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  40. 40William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  41. 41WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  42. 42William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  43. 43William I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.0
  44. 44William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  45. 45William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  46. 46Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0
  47. 47Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8
  48. 48Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  49. 49HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.8
  50. 50HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  51. 51Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7
  52. 52Heinrich MannHeinrich Mann1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7
  53. 53Martin LutherMartin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.6
  54. 54Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-BernburgKarl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.6
  55. 55Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-MeiningenCharles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  56. 56Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCarl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
  57. 57Heinrich HeineHeinrich Heine1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.6
  58. 58Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  59. 59Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  60. 60Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  61. 61Frederick III of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  62. 62Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.5
  63. 63Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  64. 64Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.5
  65. 65Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  66. 66Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  67. 67Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  68. 68Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-EisenachCharles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians1.5
  69. 69Karl KrausKarl Kraus1874–1936 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers1.5
  70. 70Walter UlbrichtWalter Ulbricht1893–1973 · 20th century · Politicians1.4
  71. 71Hans SachsHans Sachs1494–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.4
  72. 72William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-KasselWilliam IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1.4
  73. 73Gottfried KellerGottfried Keller1819–1890 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers1.4
  74. 74Rosa LuxemburgRosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists1.4
  75. 75Gerhart HauptmannGerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.4
  76. 76Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-GüstrowGustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3
  77. 77Frederick IFrederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3
  78. 78Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  79. 79Frederick I of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3
  80. 80Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  81. 81Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  82. 82Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.3
  83. 83Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  84. 84Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  85. 85Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  86. 86Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  87. 87TannhäuserTannhäuser1300–1300 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3
  88. 88Henry II, Landgrave of HesseHenry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  89. 89HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  90. 90Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  91. 91HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.3
  92. 92HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.3
  93. 93Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  94. 94HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
  95. 95HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.3
  96. 96Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  97. 97Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.3
  98. 98Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1662–1731 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  99. 99Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-BevernAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  100. 100WIWilliam III, Count of Weimar1000–1039 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2

Lived then

The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 20th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 Italy🇮🇳 India🇯🇵 Japan🇨🇳 China🇨🇦 Canada🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllActorsPoliticiansMusiciansWritersDirectorsHistorical FiguresAcademicsFootballersScientistsArtists
  1. 1Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades
  2. 2Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  3. 3Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot1934–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  4. 4Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  5. 5Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  6. 6François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  8. 8François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  9. 9Alain DelonAlain Delon1935–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  10. 10Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  11. 11Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  12. 12Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  13. 13Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  14. 14Henri MatisseHenri Matisse1869–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  15. 15Coco ChanelCoco Chanel1883–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers6 decades
  16. 16Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  17. 17Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  18. 18Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  19. 19Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Paul Belmondo1933–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  20. 20Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieuborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  21. 21Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  22. 22Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès1914–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  23. 23Michel PlatiniMichel Platiniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers5 decades
  24. 24Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  25. 25Catherine DeneuveCatherine Deneuveborn 1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  26. 26Isabelle AdjaniIsabelle Adjaniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  28. 28Marc ChagallMarc Chagall1887–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  29. 29Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  30. 30Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  31. 31Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  32. 32Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  33. 33Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  34. 34Luc BessonLuc Bessonborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors4 decades
  35. 35Juliette BinocheJuliette Binocheborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors4 decades
  36. 36Jean RenoJean Renoborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors2 decades
  37. 37Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent1936–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers5 decades
  38. 38Bernard ArnaultBernard Arnaultborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders4 decades
  39. 39Romy SchneiderRomy Schneider1938–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  40. 40Jeanne CalmentJeanne Calment1875–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  41. 41Christine LagardeChristine Lagardeborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades
  42. 42Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  43. 43Christian DiorChristian Dior1905–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers8 decades
  44. 44Jean GabinJean Gabin1904–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  45. 45Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg1928–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  47. 47François TruffautFrançois Truffaut1932–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  48. 48Johnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday1943–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  49. 49Jules RimetJules Rimet1873–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Lawyers3 decades
  50. 50Jeanne MoreauJeanne Moreau1928–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  51. 51Albert SchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer1875–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors12 decades
  52. 52Isabelle HuppertIsabelle Huppertborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  53. 53Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  54. 54Yves MontandYves Montand1921–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  55. 55Christopher LambertChristopher Lambertborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors1 decades
  56. 56Jean-Michel JarreJean-Michel Jarreborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  57. 57Alain ProstAlain Prostborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Athletes4 decades
  58. 58Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  59. 59Brigitte MacronBrigitte Macronborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  60. 60Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  61. 61Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  62. 62Mireille MathieuMireille Mathieuborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  63. 63ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  65. 65Irène Joliot-CurieIrène Joliot-Curie1897–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  66. 66Just FontaineJust Fontaine1933–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  67. 67Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  68. 68Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  69. 69Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu1930–2002 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  70. 70Dominique de VillepinDominique de Villepinborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades
  71. 71Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  72. 72Gilles DeleuzeGilles Deleuze1925–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  73. 73Simone SignoretSimone Signoret1921–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  74. 74Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  75. 75Jacques DerridaJacques Derrida1930–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  76. 76France GallFrance Gall1947–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  77. 77Kristin Scott ThomasKristin Scott Thomasborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  78. 78Frantz FanonFrantz Fanon1925–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors7 decades
  79. 79André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  80. 80Jean-Bédel BokassaJean-Bédel Bokassa1921–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades
  81. 81Jean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc Mélenchonborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1 decades
  82. 82Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  83. 83René GoscinnyRené Goscinny1926–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  84. 84Ségolène RoyalSégolène Royalborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  85. 85Jean MaraisJean Marais1913–1998 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  86. 86Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  87. 87Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  88. 88Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  89. 89Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  90. 90Dominique Strauss-KahnDominique Strauss-Kahnborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics4 decades
  91. 91Édouard BalladurÉdouard Balladurborn 1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  93. 93Jean-Pierre PapinJean-Pierre Papinborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  94. 94Louis MalleLouis Malle1932–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  95. 95Jean-Louis TrintignantJean-Louis Trintignant1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  96. 96Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt1910–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  97. 97Jean BaudrillardJean Baudrillard1929–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  98. 98FernandelFernandel1903–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  99. 99Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  100. 100Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 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.