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. 1Steven SpielbergSteven Spielbergborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  2. 2Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantinoborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  3. 3Woody AllenWoody Allenborn 1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  4. 4Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick1928–1999 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  5. 5Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  6. 6David LynchDavid Lynch1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  7. 7Martin ScorseseMartin Scorseseborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  8. 8George LucasGeorge Lucasborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  9. 9Orson WellesOrson Welles1915–1985 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors9 decades
  10. 10Tim BurtonTim Burtonborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  11. 11Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppolaborn 1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  12. 12Buster KeatonBuster Keaton1895–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  13. 13Oliver StoneOliver Stoneborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  14. 14Rob ReinerRob Reiner1947–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  15. 15David FincherDavid Fincherborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  16. 16Steven SoderberghSteven Soderberghborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  17. 17Ron HowardRon Howardborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  18. 18Brian De PalmaBrian De Palmaborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  19. 19Ted TurnerTed Turner1938–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  20. 20Caitlyn JennerCaitlyn Jennerborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1 decades
  21. 21Billy WilderBilly Wilder1906–2002 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  22. 22Bob SagetBob Saget1956–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  23. 23Spike LeeSpike Leeborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  24. 24Sam RaimiSam Raimiborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  25. 25Elia KazanElia Kazan1909–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  26. 26John FordJohn Ford1894–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors13 decades
  27. 27Sydney PollackSydney Pollack1934–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  28. 28Matt GroeningMatt Groeningborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  29. 29Kathryn BigelowKathryn Bigelowborn 1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  30. 30Harvey WeinsteinHarvey Weinsteinborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  31. 31John HustonJohn Huston1906–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors12 decades
  32. 32Andrei KonchalovskyAndrei Konchalovskyborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  33. 33Sidney LumetSidney Lumet1924–2011 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  34. 34John CarpenterJohn Carpenterborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  35. 35Nora EphronNora Ephron1941–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  36. 36Joss WhedonJoss Whedonborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  37. 37Bob FosseBob Fosse1927–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  38. 38Jim JarmuschJim Jarmuschborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  39. 39Michael MooreMichael Mooreborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  40. 40Jim HensonJim Henson1936–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  41. 41Gus Van SantGus Van Santborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  42. 42Miloš FormanMiloš Forman1932–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  43. 43Kris JennerKris Jennerborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  44. 44Chris ColumbusChris Columbusborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  45. 45Robert AltmanRobert Altman1925–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  46. 46Michael MannMichael Mannborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  47. 47John CassavetesJohn Cassavetes1929–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  48. 48Terrence MalickTerrence Malickborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  49. 49Mike NicholsMike Nichols1931–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  50. 50Wes CravenWes Craven1939–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  51. 51Aaron SorkinAaron Sorkinborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  52. 52Steve BannonSteve Bannonborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1 decades
  53. 53George A. RomeroGeorge A. Romero1940–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  54. 54Richard LinklaterRichard Linklaterborn 1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  55. 55Jonathan DemmeJonathan Demme1944–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  56. 56Cecil B. DeMilleCecil B. DeMille1881–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  57. 57Blake EdwardsBlake Edwards1922–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  58. 58Harold RamisHarold Ramis1944–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  59. 59Peter BogdanovichPeter Bogdanovich1939–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  60. 60Vincente MinnelliVincente Minnelli1903–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  61. 61Joel SchumacherJoel Schumacher1939–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  62. 62D. W. GriffithD. W. Griffith1875–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors11 decades
  63. 63William FriedkinWilliam Friedkin1935–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  64. 64John WatersJohn Watersborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  65. 65John LandisJohn Landisborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  66. 66John LasseterJohn Lasseterborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  67. 67Ray ManzarekRay Manzarek1939–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  68. 68Jerry BruckheimerJerry Bruckheimerborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  69. 69William WylerWilliam Wyler1902–1981 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  70. 70Lee StrasbergLee Strasberg1901–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  71. 71Sam PeckinpahSam Peckinpah1925–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  72. 72Frank DarabontFrank Darabontborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  73. 73John HughesJohn Hughes1950–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  74. 74Gore VerbinskiGore Verbinskiborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  75. 75William HannaWilliam Hanna1910–2001 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  76. 76Black DahliaBlack Dahlia1924–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  77. 77Vincent GalloVincent Galloborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  78. 78Howard HawksHoward Hawks1896–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors7 decades
  79. 79Joseph BarberaJoseph Barbera1911–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  80. 80Charlie KaufmanCharlie Kaufmanborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  81. 81Roger CormanRoger Corman1926–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  82. 82Heather O'RourkeHeather O'Rourke1975–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  83. 83James MangoldJames Mangoldborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  84. 84James L. BrooksJames L. Brooksborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  85. 85Alexander PayneAlexander Payneborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  86. 86Ken BurnsKen Burnsborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  87. 87Mike JudgeMike Judgeborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  88. 88Brad BirdBrad Birdborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  89. 89Richard DonnerRichard Donner1930–2021 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  90. 90George CukorGeorge Cukor1899–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors9 decades
  91. 91David O. RussellDavid O. Russellborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  92. 92Ray HarryhausenRay Harryhausen1920–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  93. 93Chuck LorreChuck Lorreborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  94. 94Joseph L. MankiewiczJoseph L. Mankiewicz1909–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  95. 95Kathleen KennedyKathleen Kennedyborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  96. 96Cameron CroweCameron Croweborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  97. 97Don BluthDon Bluthborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  98. 98Aaron SpellingAaron Spelling1923–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  99. 99Nick CassavetesNick Cassavetesborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  100. 100Louis B. MayerLouis B. Mayer1884–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot 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.