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 of Saxe-MeiningenFrederick William of Saxe-Meiningen1679–1746 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0
  2. 2Frederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-SchwedtFrederick William, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt1700–1771 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany8.0
  3. 3Frederick William, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg1620–1688 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures8.0
  4. 4Frederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-HechingenFrederick William, Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen1663–1735 · 17th 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 of LegnicaFrederick II of Legnica1480–1547 · 16th century3.3
  10. 10Friedrich II, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich II, Grand Duke of Baden1857–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures3.3
  11. 11Frederick II, Elector PalatineFrederick II, Elector Palatine1482–1556 · 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. 14Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1676–1732 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3.3
  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, Duke of PomeraniaJohn Frederick, Duke of Pomerania1542–1600 · 16th century · Religious Figures2.8
  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, Margrave of Brandenburg-AnsbachJohn Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach1654–1686 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models2.8
  22. 22John Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgJohn Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1625–1679 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.8
  23. 23Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler1889–1945 · 20th century · 🇦🇹 Austria · Politicians2.6
  24. 24William II, Duke of BavariaWilliam II, Duke of Bavaria1365–1417 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.6
  25. 25Wilhelm II of WürttembergWilhelm II of Württemberg1848–1921 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  26. 26William II of Hesse-KasselWilliam II of Hesse-Kassel1777–1847 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.6
  27. 27WIWilliam II of Jülich1200–1207 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  28. 28WIWilliam II, Margrave of Meissen1371–1425 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  29. 29WIWilliam II, Count of Weimar930–1003 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.6
  30. 30Wilhelm II, German EmperorWilhelm II, German Emperor1859–1941 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.6
  31. 31William II, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgWilliam II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1300–1369 · 14th century · Historical Figures2.6
  32. 32William II, Duke of JülichWilliam II, Duke of Jülich1325–1393 · 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 I, Count of Nassau-SiegenWilliam I, Count of Nassau-Siegen1487–1559 · 16th century2.0
  39. 39William I, Elector of HesseWilliam I, Elector of Hesse1743–1821 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  40. 40William IWilliam I1343–1407 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  41. 41William the SilentWilliam the Silent1533–1584 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  42. 42William, Landgrave of Hesse-RotenburgWilliam, Landgrave of Hesse-Rotenburg1648–1725 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  43. 43William I, German EmperorWilliam I, German Emperor1797–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures2.0
  44. 44WIWilliam I of Weimar900–963 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany2.0
  45. 45Wilhelm I of WürttembergWilhelm I of Württemberg1781–1864 · 19th century · Historical Figures2.0
  46. 46William I, Duke of BavariaWilliam I, Duke of Bavaria1330–1389 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2.0
  47. 47Friedrich SchlegelFriedrich Schlegel1772–1829 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1.8
  48. 48HIHenry IV, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1397–1427 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.8
  49. 49Henry IV, Duke of MecklenburgHenry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg1417–1477 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.8
  50. 50HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1460–1526 · 15th century · 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 of LegnicaFrederick III of Legnica1520–1570 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  59. 59Frederick III, Margrave of BadenFrederick III, Margrave of Baden1327–1353 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  60. 60Friedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-BayreuthFriedrich III, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth1711–1763 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  61. 61Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1699–1772 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.5
  62. 62Frederick III of the PalatinateFrederick III of the Palatinate1515–1576 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Models1.5
  63. 63Frederick III, Burgrave of NurembergFrederick III, Burgrave of Nuremberg1220–1297 · 13th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  64. 64Frederick III, Prince of Salm-KyrburgFrederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyrburg1744–1794 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.5
  65. 65Frederick III, German EmperorFrederick III, German Emperor1831–1888 · 19th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.5
  66. 66Frederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-GottorpFrederick III, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp1597–1659 · 17th century · Historical Figures1.5
  67. 67Frederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick III, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1673–1746 · 18th century · Politicians1.5
  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 of PrussiaFrederick I of Prussia1657–1713 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1.3
  79. 79Frederick I, Count Palatine of SimmernFrederick I, Count Palatine of Simmern1417–1480 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  80. 80Frederick I of LiegnitzFrederick I of Liegnitz1446–1488 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  81. 81Duke Friedrich I, Duke of AnhaltDuke Friedrich I, Duke of Anhalt1831–1904 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  82. 82Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-AltenburgFrederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg1646–1691 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  83. 83Frederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-HomburgFrederick I, Landgrave of Hesse-Homburg1585–1638 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  84. 84Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-WolfenbüttelFrederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel1357–1400 · 14th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.3
  85. 85Frederick I, Elector of BrandenburgFrederick I, Elector of Brandenburg1371–1440 · 15th century1.3
  86. 86Friedrich I, Grand Duke of BadenFriedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden1826–1907 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.3
  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, Margrave of Meissen1103–1123 · 12th century · Models1.3
  90. 90Henry II, Duke of BavariaHenry II, Duke of Bavaria951–995 · 10th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  91. 91HIHenry II, Lord of Mecklenburg1262–1329 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.3
  92. 92HIHenry II of Augsburg1001–1063 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Religious Figures1.3
  93. 93HIHenry II, Count of Gorizia1150–1150 · 12th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  94. 94Henry II, Count of Reuss-GeraHenry II, Count of Reuss-Gera1572–1635 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  95. 95Henry V, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgHenry V, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1489–1568 · 16th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.3
  96. 96HIHenry II, Duke of Limburg1110–1167 · 12th century · Historical Figures1.3
  97. 97Charles IV, Holy Roman EmperorCharles IV, Holy Roman Emperor1316–1378 · 14th century · Historical Figures1.3
  98. 98Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-BevernAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern1715–1781 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.2
  99. 99Augustus William, Duke of Brunswick-LüneburgAugustus William, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1662–1731 · 17th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.2
  100. 100William IIIWilliam 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.

CountryAll🇺🇸 United States🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇫🇷 France🇩🇪 Germany🇮🇹 Italy🇮🇳 India🇯🇵 Japan🇨🇳 China🇨🇦 Canada🇸🇪 Sweden
FieldAllActorsPoliticiansMusiciansWritersDirectorsHistorical FiguresAcademicsFootballersScientistsArtists
  1. 1Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein1879–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  2. 2Werner HeisenbergWerner Heisenberg1901–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists10 decades
  3. 3Fritz HaberFritz Haber1868–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  4. 4Ferdinand PorscheFerdinand Porsche1875–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  5. 5Konrad ZuseKonrad Zuse1910–1995 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists6 decades
  6. 6Otto HahnOtto Hahn1879–1968 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  7. 7Fritz TodtFritz Todt1891–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  8. 8Carl BoschCarl Bosch1874–1940 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists10 decades
  9. 9Arnold SommerfeldArnold Sommerfeld1868–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  10. 10Hermann OberthHermann Oberth1894–1989 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists7 decades
  11. 11Willy MesserschmittWilly Messerschmitt1898–1978 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  12. 12Clara ImmerwahrClara Immerwahr1870–1915 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  13. 13Joachim SauerJoachim Sauerborn 1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  14. 14Carl Friedrich von WeizsäckerCarl Friedrich von Weizsäcker1912–2007 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  15. 15August HorchAugust Horch1868–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  16. 16Katherine OppenheimerKatherine Oppenheimer1910–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  17. 17Maria Goeppert MayerMaria Goeppert Mayer1906–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  18. 18Kurt TankKurt Tank1898–1983 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  19. 19Hans GeigerHans Geiger1882–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  20. 20Manfred von ArdenneManfred von Ardenne1907–1997 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  21. 21Ralph H. BaerRalph H. Baer1922–2014 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  22. 22Max von LaueMax von Laue1879–1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists10 decades
  23. 23Hermann TilkeHermann Tilkeborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  24. 24Kurt GersteinKurt Gerstein1905–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  25. 25Christiane Nüsslein-VolhardChristiane Nüsslein-Volhardborn 1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists2 decades
  26. 26Felix WankelFelix Wankel1902–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  27. 27Hugo SchmeisserHugo Schmeisser1884–1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  28. 28Herbert KapplerHerbert Kappler1907–1978 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  29. 29Reinhard GenzelReinhard Genzelborn 1952 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  30. 30Fritz StrassmannFritz Strassmann1902–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  31. 31Walter DornbergerWalter Dornberger1895–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  32. 32Heinz LammerdingHeinz Lammerding1905–1971 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  33. 33Johannes StarkJohannes Stark1874–1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists12 decades
  34. 34Uziel GalUziel Gal1923–2002 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  35. 35Gustave WhiteheadGustave Whitehead1874–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  36. 36RVRudolf von Sebottendorf1875–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  37. 37Ludwig PrandtlLudwig Prandtl1875–1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  38. 38Andy BechtolsheimAndy Bechtolsheimborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  39. 39Felix HoffmannFelix Hoffmann1868–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  40. 40Otto SternOtto Stern1888–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  41. 41Pascual JordanPascual Jordan1902–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  42. 42Ulf MerboldUlf Merboldborn 1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  43. 43Hermann StaudingerHermann Staudinger1881–1965 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  44. 44Klaus von KlitzingKlaus von Klitzingborn 1943 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists3 decades
  45. 45Hans Adolf Eduard DrieschHans Adolf Eduard Driesch1867–1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  46. 46Stefan HellStefan Hellborn 1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  47. 47Ernst RuskaErnst Ruska1906–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists4 decades
  48. 48Walther BotheWalther Bothe1891–1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists6 decades
  49. 49Jan CzochralskiJan Czochralski1885–1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  50. 50Arno Allan PenziasArno Allan Penzias1933–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  51. 51Adolf ButenandtAdolf Butenandt1903–1995 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists9 decades
  52. 52Hans von OhainHans von Ohain1911–1998 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  53. 53Robert HavemannRobert Havemann1910–1982 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  54. 54Wolfgang KetterleWolfgang Ketterleborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  55. 55Thomas ReiterThomas Reiterborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  56. 56Karl ZieglerKarl Ziegler1898–1973 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists11 decades
  57. 57Elisabeth Noelle-NeumannElisabeth Noelle-Neumann1916–2010 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  58. 58Harald LeschHarald Leschborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  59. 59Wolfgang PaulWolfgang Paul1913–1993 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists8 decades
  60. 60Friedrich HundFriedrich Hund1896–1997 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  61. 61Johanna BudwigJohanna Budwig1908–2003 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  62. 62Arthur RudolphArthur Rudolph1906–1996 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  63. 63Manfred EigenManfred Eigen1927–2019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists5 decades
  64. 64KHKlaus Hasselmannborn 1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  65. 65Alexander LippischAlexander Lippisch1894–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  66. 66Wolfgang EggerWolfgang Eggerborn 1963 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  67. 67Jack SteinbergerJack Steinberger1921–2020 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  68. 68Gerhard ErtlGerhard Ertlborn 1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists2 decades
  69. 69Helmut GröttrupHelmut Gröttrup1916–1981 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  70. 70Ida NoddackIda Noddack1896–1978 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  71. 71MKMaria Koepcke1924–1971 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  72. 72Walter H. SchottkyWalter H. Schottky1886–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  73. 73Kurt H. DebusKurt H. Debus1908–1983 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  74. 74Richard WillstätterRichard Willstätter1872–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists12 decades
  75. 75Ernst SchäferErnst Schäfer1910–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  76. 76Fritz von OpelFritz von Opel1899–1971 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  77. 77Rudolf MössbauerRudolf Mössbauer1929–2011 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  78. 78Henrich FockeHenrich Focke1890–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  79. 79Hans FischerHans Fischer1881–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists14 decades
  80. 80Peter GrünbergPeter Grünberg1939–2018 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  81. 81Friedrich BergiusFriedrich Bergius1884–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists8 decades
  82. 82Walter GerlachWalter Gerlach1889–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  83. 83Heinrich Otto WielandHeinrich Otto Wieland1877–1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  84. 84Theodor W. HänschTheodor W. Hänschborn 1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  85. 85Hans von Euler-ChelpinHans von Euler-Chelpin1873–1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  86. 86Gerd BinnigGerd Binnigborn 1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists2 decades
  87. 87Karl PlaggeKarl Plagge1897–1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  88. 88Peter SchreyerPeter Schreyerborn 1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  89. 89Georg BednorzGeorg Bednorzborn 1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  90. 90Fritz LondonFritz London1900–1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  91. 91Herbert KroemerHerbert Kroemer1928–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists0 decades
  92. 92Otto AmbrosOtto Ambros1901–1990 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  93. 93Edward LaskerEdward Lasker1885–1981 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  94. 94Anton FlettnerAnton Flettner1885–1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  95. 95Kurt AlderKurt Alder1902–1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientists2 decades
  96. 96Bruno TeschBruno Tesch1890–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  97. 97BHBurkhard Heim1925–2001 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  98. 98Béla BarényiBéla Barényi1907–1997 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  99. 99Oskar BarnackOskar Barnack1879–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot measured—
  100. 100Hartmut MichelHartmut Michelborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Scientistsnot 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.