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
#PersonIn print, 1800–2019Per million words
- 1
Frederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0
- 2
Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany8.0 - 3
Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0 - 4
Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0 - 5
Thomas Mann1875–1955 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers6.1 - 6
Novalis1772–1801 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5.5 - 7
Karl Marx1818–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics4.7 - 8
Jean Paul1763–1825 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4.3 - 9
Frederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.3 - 10
Friedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.3 - 11
Frederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 16th century3.3 - 12
Frederick II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1418–1478 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures3.3 - 13
Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1633–1708 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany3.3 - 14
Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.3 - 15
Johann Georg, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels1677–1712 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.9 - 16
John George, Elector of Brandenburg1525–1598 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.9
- 17
John Frederick, Count Palatine of Sulzbach-Hilpoltstein1587–1644 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.8 - 18
John Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.8
- 19
John Frederick, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt1721–1767 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
- 20
John Frederick, Duke of Württemberg1582–1628 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8 - 21
John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.8 - 22
John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8 - 23
Adolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians2.6 - 24
William II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.6 - 25
Wilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6 - 26
William II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.6 - 27WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
- 28WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
- 29WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.6
- 30
Wilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6 - 31
William II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.6 - 32
William II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.6 - 33
Maria Theresa1717–1780 · 18th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Historical Figures2.5 - 34
Max Weber1864–1920 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.5 - 35
Paracelsus1493–1541 · 16th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Doctors2.5 - 36
Richard Wagner1813–1883 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Musicians2.4 - 37
Friedrich Engels1820–1895 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Academics2.3 - 38
William I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.0 - 39
William I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0 - 40
William I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0 - 41
William the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0 - 42
William, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0 - 43
William I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
- 44WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
- 45
Wilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0 - 46
William I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0 - 47
Friedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8 - 48HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
- 49
Henry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8 - 50HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.8
- 51
Erich Honecker1912–1994 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.7 - 52
Heinrich Mann1871–1950 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.7 - 53
Martin Luther1483–1546 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.6 - 54
Karl Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg1668–1721 · 18th century · Historical Figures1.6 - 55
Charles Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen1712–1743 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6
- 56
Carl Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1783–1853 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.6 - 57
Heinrich Heine1797–1856 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.6
- 58
Frederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5 - 59
Frederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5 - 60
Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5 - 61
Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
- 62
Frederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5 - 63
Frederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5 - 64
Frederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5 - 65
Frederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5 - 66
Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.5 - 67
Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.5 - 68
Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach1757–1828 · 18th century · Politicians1.5 - 69
Karl Kraus1874–1936 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers1.5 - 70
Walter Ulbricht1893–1973 · 20th century · Politicians1.4 - 71
Hans Sachs1494–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.4 - 72
William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel1532–1592 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists1.4 - 73
Gottfried Keller1819–1890 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers1.4 - 74
Rosa Luxemburg1871–1919 · 20th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Activists1.4 - 75
Gerhart Hauptmann1862–1946 · 19th century · Writers1.4 - 76
Gustav Adolph, Duke of Mecklenburg-Güstrow1633–1695 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3 - 77
Frederick I1425–1476 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3 - 78
Frederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3 - 79
Frederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3 - 80
Frederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
- 81
Duke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3 - 82
Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3 - 83
Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3 - 84
Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3 - 85
Frederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.3 - 86
Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
- 87
Tannhäuser1300–1300 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.3 - 88
Henry II, Landgrave of Hesse1299–1376 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3 - 89HIHenry II, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.3
- 90
Henry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3 - 91HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
- 92HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.3
- 93HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
- 94
Henry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3 - 95
Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3 - 96HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.3
- 97
Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.3 - 98
Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2 - 99
Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1662–1731 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2 - 100
William III1425–1482 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
Lived then
The most notable people whose working lives fell in the 20th century, ranked where Wikipedia coverage and readership agree.
#PersonIn print, 1800–2019Echoed
- 1
Charles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades - 2
Nicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 3
Jacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades - 4
François Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades - 5
François Mitterrand1916–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades - 6
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades - 7
Christine Lagardeborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades - 8
Georges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades - 9
Jean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades - 10
Dominique de Villepinborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades - 11
Jean-Bédel Bokassa1921–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades - 12
Jean-Luc Mélenchonborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1 decades - 13
Ségolène Royalborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 14
Pierre Laval1883–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades - 15
Édouard Balladurborn 1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 16
Léon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades - 17
Simone Veil1927–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades - 18
François Darlan1881–1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 19
Éric Zemmourborn 1958 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 20
Jean Moulin1899–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 21
François Fillonborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades - 22
Lionel Jospin1937–2026 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades - 23
François Bayrouborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 24
Albert Lebrun1871–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades - 25
Michel Barnierborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 26
Henri Giraud1879–1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 27
Robert Schuman1886–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians10 decades - 28
Bernard Cazeneuveborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades - 29
Édouard Daladier1884–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades - 30
Anne Hidalgoborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades - 31
René Coty1882–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians10 decades - 32
Élisabeth Borneborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades - 33
Salome Zourabichviliborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades - 34
Ingrid Betancourtborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 35
Laurent Fabiusborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades - 36
Omar Bongo1935–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 37
Theodor Eicke1892–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 38
Paul Reynaud1878–1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 39
Vincent Auriol1884–1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades - 40
Bidzina Ivanishviliborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades - 41
Félix Houphouët-Boigny1905–1993 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades - 42
Alain Juppéborn 1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 43
Maxime Weygand1867–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 44
Jean-Louis Borlooborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 45
François Asselineauborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 46
Pierre Mendès France1907–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 47
Pierre Bérégovoy1925–1993 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 48
Paul Claudel1868–1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians12 decades - 49
Ismail Omar Guellehborn 1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0 decades - 50
Édith Cressonborn 1934 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades - 51
Marie Pierre Kœnig1898–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 52
Thierry Bretonborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 53
Jean-Pierre Raffarinborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades - 54
Gisèle Halimi1927–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 55
Bernard Tapie1943–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 56
Alain Poher1909–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 57
Christiane Taubiraborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 58
Philippe de Gaulle1921–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 59
Jacques Chaban-Delmas1915–2000 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 60
Robert Badinter1928–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
- 61
Inessa Armand1874–1920 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 62
Maurice Thorez1900–1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 63
Michel Rocard1930–2016 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 64
Bernadette Chirac1933–2026 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 65
Michel Debré1912–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 66
Jack Langborn 1939 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 67
Maurice Papon1910–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 68
Arnaud Montebourgborn 1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
- 69
Jean-Marc Ayraultborn 1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades - 70
Raymond Barre1924–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 71
Pierre Mauroy1928–2013 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians7 decades - 72
Stéphane Hessel1917–2013 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
- 73
Pierre Messmer1916–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
- 74
Martine Aubryborn 1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 75
Édouard Herriot1872–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades - 76
Étienne Gnassingbé Eyadéma1935–2005 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades - 77
Philippe de Villiersborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 78
Shadhli ibn Jadid1929–2012 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 79
Gérard Larcherborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 80
Roselyne Bachelotborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 81
Bruno Retailleauborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 82
Alphonse Juin1888–1967 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 83
Prince Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma1930–2010 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 84
Nicolas Dupont-Aignanborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 85
Bertrand Delanoëborn 1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 86
Christian Estrosiborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 87
Cécilia Attiasborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
- 88
Jean-François Copéborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 89
Claudie Haigneréborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 90
René Pleven1901–1993 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 91
Luc Ferryborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 92
Michèle Alliot-Marieborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
- 93
Pierre Moscoviciborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 94
Jean-Yves Le Drianborn 1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 95
José Bovéborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 96
Georges Bidault1899–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 97
Henri, Count of Paris1933–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 98
René Cassin1887–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians10 decades - 99
Serge Dassault1925–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured— - 100
Georges Marchais1920–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
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.