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. 1Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  2. 2Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  3. 3Hermann HesseHermann Hesse1877–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  4. 4Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria Rilke1875–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  5. 5Erich Maria RemarqueErich Maria Remarque1898–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  6. 6Charles BukowskiCharles Bukowski1920–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  7. 7Heinz GuderianHeinz Guderian1888–1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  8. 8Ernst JüngerErnst Jünger1895–1998 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  9. 9Günter GrassGünter Grass1927–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  10. 10Michael EndeMichael Ende1929–1995 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  11. 11Eckhart TolleEckhart Tolleborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers1 decades
  12. 12Oswald SpenglerOswald Spengler1880–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  13. 13Klaus MannKlaus Mann1906–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  14. 14Albert KesselringAlbert Kesselring1885–1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  15. 15Hans-Ulrich RudelHans-Ulrich Rudel1916–1982 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  16. 16Erich RaederErich Raeder1876–1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  17. 17Erich KästnerErich Kästner1899–1974 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  18. 18Heinrich BöllHeinrich Böll1917–1985 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  19. 19Traudl JungeTraudl Junge1920–2002 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  20. 20Franz HalderFranz Halder1884–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  21. 21Heinrich MannHeinrich Mann1871–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  22. 22Martin NiemöllerMartin Niemöller1892–1984 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  23. 23Erik EriksonErik Erikson1902–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers7 decades
  24. 24Cornelia FunkeCornelia Funkeborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  25. 25PSPatrick Süskindborn 1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  26. 26Ludwig BeckLudwig Beck1880–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  27. 27Felix SteinerFelix Steiner1896–1966 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  28. 28Lion FeuchtwangerLion Feuchtwanger1884–1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  29. 29Walther RathenauWalther Rathenau1867–1922 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  30. 30Walter SchellenbergWalter Schellenberg1910–1952 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  31. 31Christiane F.Christiane F.born 1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  32. 32Juliane KoepckeJuliane Koepckeborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  33. 33Hermann HothHermann Hoth1885–1971 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  34. 34W. G. SebaldW. G. Sebald1944–2001 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  35. 35Rochus MischRochus Misch1917–2013 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  36. 36Herta MüllerHerta Müllerborn 1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  37. 37Hans FalladaHans Fallada1893–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Markus WolfMarkus Wolf1923–2006 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Golo MannGolo Mann1909–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  40. 40Christa WolfChrista Wolf1929–2011 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  41. 41Gottfried BennGottfried Benn1886–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  42. 42Otfried PreußlerOtfried Preußler1923–2013 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  43. 43Karen HorneyKaren Horney1885–1952 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  44. 44Siegfried LenzSiegfried Lenz1926–2014 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  45. 45Bernhard SchlinkBernhard Schlinkborn 1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers4 decades
  46. 46Otto Ernst RemerOtto Ernst Remer1912–1997 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  47. 47Anna SeghersAnna Seghers1900–1983 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers9 decades
  48. 48Alexander KlugeAlexander Kluge1932–2026 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  49. 49Ernst HanfstaenglErnst Hanfstaengl1887–1975 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  50. 50Otto CariusOtto Carius1922–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  51. 51Shmuel Yosef AgnonShmuel Yosef Agnon1887–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  52. 52Alfred DöblinAlfred Döblin1878–1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  53. 53Else Lasker-SchülerElse Lasker-Schüler1869–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers11 decades
  54. 54B. TravenB. Traven1882–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55Nelly SachsNelly Sachs1891–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers8 decades
  56. 56Wolfgang BorchertWolfgang Borchert1921–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  57. 57Stefan GeorgeStefan George1868–1933 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  58. 58Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-SchwerinDuchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin1886–1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  59. 59Thea von HarbouThea von Harbou1888–1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Hans MorgenthauHans Morgenthau1904–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers0 decades
  61. 61Hans Magnus EnzensbergerHans Magnus Enzensberger1929–2022 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  62. 62Christian MorgensternChristian Morgenstern1871–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers13 decades
  63. 63JanoschJanoschborn 1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Martin WalserMartin Walser1927–2023 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Ferdinand von SchirachFerdinand von Schirachborn 1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Hugo BallHugo Ball1886–1927 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  67. 67Joseph WeizenbaumJoseph Weizenbaum1923–2008 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Kathrine SwitzerKathrine Switzerborn 1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  69. 69Erwin PanofskyErwin Panofsky1892–1968 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  70. 70Rose AusländerRose Ausländer1901–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Carl ZuckmayerCarl Zuckmayer1896–1977 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Günter WallraffGünter Wallraffborn 1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Theodor BusseTheodor Busse1897–1986 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Walter MoersWalter Moersborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Günther RallGünther Rall1918–2009 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  76. 76Esther VilarEsther Vilarborn 1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Erich KempkaErich Kempka1910–1975 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Peter WeissPeter Weiss1916–1982 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Judith KerrJudith Kerr1923–2019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80Joachim RingelnatzJoachim Ringelnatz1883–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Ernst NolteErnst Nolte1923–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Heiner MüllerHeiner Müller1929–1995 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83FXFranz Xaver Kroetzborn 1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Lina HeydrichLina Heydrich1911–1985 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Erich MühsamErich Mühsam1878–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Joachim FestJoachim Fest1926–2006 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87Katia MannKatia Mann1883–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Otto BraunOtto Braun1900–1974 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Yehuda AmichaiYehuda Amichai1924–2000 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Waldemar BonselsWaldemar Bonsels1880–1952 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Peter WohllebenPeter Wohllebenborn 1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Rainer ZitelmannRainer Zitelmannborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Stefan HeymStefan Heym1913–2001 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Arthur Moeller van den BruckArthur Moeller van den Bruck1876–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Anselm GrünAnselm Grünborn 1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Lothar-Günther BuchheimLothar-Günther Buchheim1918–2007 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Siegfried KracauerSiegfried Kracauer1889–1966 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98RKReinhart Koselleck1923–2006 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99Arno SchmidtArno Schmidt1914–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Uwe JohnsonUwe Johnson1934–1984 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writersnot 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.