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. 1Michael JacksonMichael Jackson1958–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  2. 2Elvis PresleyElvis Presley1935–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  3. 3Bob DylanBob Dylanborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  4. 4MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  5. 5Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston1963–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  6. 6Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur1971–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  7. 7Kurt CobainKurt Cobain1967–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  8. 8Dolly PartonDolly Parton1946–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  9. 9Jim MorrisonJim Morrison1943–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  10. 10Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra1915–1998 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  11. 11CherCherborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  12. 12PrincePrince1958–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  13. 13Tina TurnerTina Turner1939–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix1942–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  15. 15Johnny CashJohnny Cash1932–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  16. 16Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteenborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  17. 17Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisandborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  18. 18Joan BaezJoan Baezborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  19. 19Louis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong1901–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  20. 20Charles MansonCharles Manson1934–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  21. 21Josephine BakerJosephine Baker1906–1975 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians11 decades
  22. 22Maria CallasMaria Callas1923–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  23. 23Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin1942–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  24. 24Janis JoplinJanis Joplin1943–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  25. 25Frank ZappaFrank Zappa1940–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  26. 26Stevie WonderStevie Wonderborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  27. 27Miles DavisMiles Davis1926–1991 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  28. 28Ray CharlesRay Charles1930–2004 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  29. 29SelenaSelena1971–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  30. 30James BrownJames Brown1933–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  31. 31James HetfieldJames Hetfieldborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1 decades
  32. 32Diana RossDiana Rossborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  33. 33Chuck BerryChuck Berry1926–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  34. 34Alice CooperAlice Cooperborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  35. 35Courtney LoveCourtney Loveborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  36. 36John WilliamsJohn Williamsborn 1932 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  37. 37Marvin GayeMarvin Gaye1939–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  38. 38Jon Bon JoviJon Bon Joviborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  39. 39Nina SimoneNina Simone1933–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  40. 40Dean MartinDean Martin1917–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  41. 41Patti SmithPatti Smithborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  42. 42Lenny KravitzLenny Kravitzborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  43. 43"Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" Yankovicborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Bing CrosbyBing Crosby1903–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians9 decades
  45. 45Iggy PopIggy Popborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  46. 46Donna SummerDonna Summer1948–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  47. 47Billie HolidayBillie Holiday1915–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  48. 48Quincy JonesQuincy Jones1933–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  49. 49Cyndi LauperCyndi Lauperborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  50. 50The Notorious B.I.G.The Notorious B.I.G.1972–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  51. 51Lou ReedLou Reed1942–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  52. 52Paul SimonPaul Simonborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  53. 53Ronnie James DioRonnie James Dio1942–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  54. 54Buddy HollyBuddy Holly1936–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  55. 55Axl RoseAxl Roseborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  56. 56Billy JoelBilly Joelborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  57. 57Lionel RichieLionel Richieborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  58. 58Chris CornellChris Cornell1964–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  59. 59Willie NelsonWillie Nelsonborn 1933 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  60. 60Steven TylerSteven Tylerborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  61. 61Kris KristoffersonKris Kristofferson1936–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  62. 62Kenny RogersKenny Rogers1938–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  63. 63Bette MidlerBette Midlerborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  64. 64Tom WaitsTom Waitsborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  65. 65Roy OrbisonRoy Orbison1936–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians4 decades
  66. 66Brian WilsonBrian Wilson1942–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  67. 67Leonard BernsteinLeonard Bernstein1918–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  68. 68Ella FitzgeraldElla Fitzgerald1917–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  69. 69John DenverJohn Denver1943–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  70. 70Stevie NicksStevie Nicksborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  71. 71Neil DiamondNeil Diamondborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  72. 72Eddie Van HalenEddie Van Halen1955–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  73. 73Tracy ChapmanTracy Chapmanborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  74. 74Linda RonstadtLinda Ronstadtborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  75. 75Hank WilliamsHank Williams1923–1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  76. 76Anthony KiedisAnthony Kiedisborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  77. 77Reba McEntireReba McEntireborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  78. 78John ColtraneJohn Coltrane1926–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  79. 79Tony BennettTony Bennett1926–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  80. 80Meat LoafMeat Loaf1947–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  81. 81Little RichardLittle Richard1932–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  82. 82Pete SeegerPete Seeger1919–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  83. 83B.B. KingB.B. King1925–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  84. 84George GershwinGeorge Gershwin1898–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians10 decades
  85. 85Harry BelafonteHarry Belafonte1927–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians7 decades
  86. 86Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis1935–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  87. 87Dave MustaineDave Mustaineborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  88. 88Nat King ColeNat King Cole1919–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  89. 89Danny ElfmanDanny Elfmanborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  90. 90Paula AbdulPaula Abdulborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  91. 91Sheryl CrowSheryl Crowborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  92. 92CoolioCoolio1963–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  93. 93Woody GuthrieWoody Guthrie1912–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians8 decades
  94. 94Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray Vaughan1954–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  95. 95Eddie VedderEddie Vedderborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians2 decades
  96. 96Paul AnkaPaul Ankaborn 1941 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians6 decades
  97. 97Debbie HarryDebbie Harryborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians3 decades
  98. 98Carole KingCarole Kingborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians5 decades
  99. 99Eazy-EEazy-E1964–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians0 decades
  100. 100Israel KamakawiwoʻoleIsrael Kamakawiwoʻole1959–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Musiciansnot 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.