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 Spanish books during the 20th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1John of GodJohn of God1495–1550 · 16th century · 🇵🇹 Portugal6.9
  2. 2Lope de VegaLope de Vega1562–1635 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers6.6
  3. 3Francis XavierFrancis Xavier1506–1552 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers5.4
  4. 4Rubén DaríoRubén Darío1867–1916 · 20th century · Writers4.5
  5. 5Simón BolívarSimón Bolívar1783–1830 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians4.2
  6. 6Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus1451–1506 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures3.5
  7. 7Andrés BelloAndrés Bello1781–1865 · 19th century · Politicians3.5
  8. 8Porfirio DíazPorfirio Díaz1830–1915 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians3.2
  9. 9Fidel CastroFidel Castro1926–2016 · 20th century · Politicians3.0
  10. 10Hernán CortésHernán Cortés1485–1547 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.9
  11. 11JFJuan Fernández1529–1602 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.4
  12. 12John of the CrossJohn of the Cross1542–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.3
  13. 13Bartolomé MitreBartolomé Mitre1821–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.3
  14. 14Gonzalo PizarroGonzalo Pizarro1502–1548 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures2.2
  15. 15Benito JuárezBenito Juárez1806–1872 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians2.2
  16. 16Antonio MachadoAntonio Machado1875–1939 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers2.1
  17. 17José de San MartínJosé de San Martín1778–1850 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians2.0
  18. 18Teresa of ÁvilaTeresa of Ávila1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.9
  19. 19Francisco PizarroFrancisco Pizarro1478–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.8
  20. 20Miguel de CervantesMiguel de Cervantes1547–1616 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.7
  21. 21Eva PerónEva Perón1919–1952 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Actors1.7
  22. 22Bartolomé de las CasasBartolomé de las Casas1484–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.7
  23. 23Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  24. 24Juan Ramón JiménezJuan Ramón Jiménez1881–1958 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.6
  25. 25Venustiano CarranzaVenustiano Carranza1859–1920 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians1.6
  26. 26Gabriela MistralGabriela Mistral1889–1957 · 20th century · Writers1.5
  27. 27Octavio PazOctavio Paz1914–1998 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers1.5
  28. 28John of AustriaJohn of Austria1547–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.5
  29. 29Garcilaso de la VegaGarcilaso de la Vega1503–1536 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.5
  30. 30Pedro de AlvaradoPedro de Alvarado1486–1541 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.5
  31. 31Pedro de ValdiviaPedro de Valdivia1497–1553 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.4
  32. 32Tirso de MolinaTirso de Molina1583–1648 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.3
  33. 33Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.3
  34. 34Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.3
  35. 35Luis de LeónLuis de León1527–1591 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers1.3
  36. 36Ignatius of LoyolaIgnatius of Loyola1491–1556 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.3
  37. 37Juan Vicente GómezJuan Vicente Gómez1857–1935 · 19th century · Politicians1.3
  38. 38Juan Manuel de RosasJuan Manuel de Rosas1793–1877 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.2
  39. 39Ricardo PalmaRicardo Palma1833–1919 · 19th century · Writers1.2
  40. 40Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  41. 41Bernardino RivadaviaBernardino Rivadavia1780–1845 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.1
  42. 42Francisco I. MaderoFrancisco I. Madero1873–1913 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists1.1
  43. 43Francisco de Toledo, Count of OropesaFrancisco de Toledo, Count of Oropesa1515–1582 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  44. 44Nicolás AntonioNicolás Antonio1617–1684 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  45. 45Felipe GonzálezFelipe Gonzálezborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.1
  46. 46Sor Juana Inés de la CruzSor Juana Inés de la Cruz1651–1695 · 17th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers1.0
  47. 47José HernándezJosé Hernández1834–1886 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers1.0
  48. 48Manuel BelgranoManuel Belgrano1770–1820 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians1.0
  49. 49Diego de AlmagroDiego de Almagro1475–1538 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures1.0
  50. 50Diego VelázquezDiego Velázquez1599–1660 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists1.0
  51. 51Francis SolanusFrancis Solanus1549–1610 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain1.0
  52. 52Pope Alexander VIPope Alexander VI1431–1503 · 15th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures1.0
  53. 53John I of FranceJohn I of France1316–1316 · 14th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.99
  54. 54Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.97
  55. 55Fernán González of CastileFernán González of Castile910–970 · 10th century0.94
  56. 56Francisco de VillagraFrancisco de Villagra1511–1563 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.94
  57. 57Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.91
  58. 58Bernardo O'HigginsBernardo O'Higgins1778–1842 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.90
  59. 59Emiliano ZapataEmiliano Zapata1879–1919 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Activists0.88
  60. 60Victoriano HuertaVictoriano Huerta1850–1916 · 19th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.87
  61. 61Cipriano CastroCipriano Castro1858–1924 · 19th century · Politicians0.84
  62. 62María de JesúsMaría de Jesús1560–1640 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.84
  63. 63César VallejoCésar Vallejo1892–1938 · 20th century · Writers0.83
  64. 64Carlos PellegriniCarlos Pellegrini1846–1906 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Journalists0.83
  65. 65Bernal Díaz del BrawlBernal Díaz del Brawl1492–1584 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.81
  66. 66Vincent FerrerVincent Ferrer1350–1419 · 14th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Religious Figures0.80
  67. 67Domingo Faustino SarmientoDomingo Faustino Sarmiento1811–1888 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.79
  68. 68Francisco de VitoriaFrancisco de Vitoria1480–1546 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.79
  69. 69Francisco QuevedoFrancisco Quevedo1584–1645 · 17th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.78
  70. 70Diego RiveraDiego Rivera1886–1957 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Designers0.78
  71. 71Carlos FuentesCarlos Fuentes1928–2012 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Writers0.77
  72. 72JuanesJuanesborn 1972 · 21st century · Musicians0.76
  73. 73Juan de GarayJuan de Garay1528–1583 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.76
  74. 74Pedro SánchezPedro Sánchezborn 1972 · 21st century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.76
  75. 75Roque Sáenz PeñaRoque Sáenz Peña1851–1914 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.75
  76. 76Jorge Juan y SantaciliaJorge Juan y Santacilia1713–1773 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Scientists0.75
  77. 77LDLope de Aguirre1510–1561 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.74
  78. 78Pío BarojaPío Baroja1872–1956 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.74
  79. 79Hernando PizarroHernando Pizarro1502–1578 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.73
  80. 80Juan AndrésJuan Andrés1740–1817 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.73
  81. 81Hipólito YrigoyenHipólito Yrigoyen1850–1933 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.72
  82. 82Che GuevaraChe Guevara1928–1967 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Activists0.72
  83. 83Marcelino Menéndez y PelayoMarcelino Menéndez y Pelayo1856–1912 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.72
  84. 84Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre1795–1830 · 19th century · Politicians0.71
  85. 85Francisco de MirandaFrancisco de Miranda1750–1816 · 18th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians0.71
  86. 86Ernesto ZedilloErnesto Zedilloborn 1951 · 20th century · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Politicians0.71
  87. 87José Ortega y GassetJosé Ortega y Gasset1883–1955 · 20th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Academics0.70
  88. 88Gabriel García MárquezGabriel García Márquez1927–2014 · 20th century · Writers0.69
  89. 89Salvador AllendeSalvador Allende1908–1973 · 20th century · Politicians0.68
  90. 90Francisco de Paula SantanderFrancisco de Paula Santander1792–1840 · 19th century · Politicians0.67
  91. 91Lope de RuedaLope de Rueda1505–1566 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.67
  92. 92Juan MontalvoJuan Montalvo1832–1889 · 19th century · Writers0.66
  93. 93Jose Miguel CarreraJose Miguel Carrera1785–1821 · 19th century · Politicians0.64
  94. 94Fernando GonzálezFernando Gonzálezborn 1980 · 21st century · Tennis Players0.63
  95. 95Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y ValdésGonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés1478–1557 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers0.63
  96. 96Mario Vargas LlosaMario Vargas Llosa1936–2025 · 20th century · Writers0.62
  97. 97Peter of AlcantaraPeter of Alcantara1499–1562 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain0.61
  98. 98Juan Bautista AlberdiJuan Bautista Alberdi1810–1884 · 19th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Politicians0.61
  99. 99Francisco de AguirreFrancisco de Aguirre1507–1581 · 16th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.60
  100. 100Julio CortázarJulio Cortázar1914–1984 · 20th century · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers0.58

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. 1Leslie CheungLeslie Cheung1956–2003 · 🇨🇳 China · Musicians4 decades
  2. 2Jacky CheungJacky Cheungborn 1961 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  3. 3Shi Pei PuShi Pei Pu1938–2009 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  4. 4Samuel HuiSamuel Huiborn 1948 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  5. 5Cui JianCui Jianborn 1961 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  6. 6Alan TamAlan Tamborn 1950 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  7. 7Adam ChengAdam Chengborn 1947 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  8. 8Tan DunTan Dunborn 1957 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  9. 9George LamGeorge Lamborn 1947 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  10. 10Lee Hoi-chuenLee Hoi-chuen1901–1965 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  11. 11Wakin ChauWakin Chauborn 1959 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  12. 12Kenny BeeKenny Beeborn 1953 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  13. 13Liu HuanLiu Huanborn 1963 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  14. 14Lam SuetLam Suetborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  15. 15Roman TamRoman Tam1945–2002 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  16. 16Lee Hong-kumLee Hong-kum1932–2021 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  17. 17Teddy RobinTeddy Robinborn 1945 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  18. 18WingWingborn 1960 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  19. 19QCQigang Chenborn 1951 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  20. 20Yao LeeYao Lee1922–2019 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  21. 21Joseph KooJoseph Koo1931–2023 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  22. 22Maria CorderoMaria Corderoborn 1954 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  23. 23Anthony Wong Yiu-mingAnthony Wong Yiu-mingborn 1962 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  24. 24Mona FongMona Fong1934–2017 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  25. 25Alex ToAlex Toborn 1962 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  26. 26Deric WanDeric Wanborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  27. 27Paula TsuiPaula Tsuiborn 1949 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  28. 28AHAbdurehim Heytborn 1962 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  29. 29Wu YingyinWu Yingyin1922–2009 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  30. 30Chen GangChen Gang1935–2026 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  31. 31AbingAbing1893–1950 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  32. 32PKPeter Kamborn 1961 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  33. 33Connie ChanConnie Chanborn 1947 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  34. 34BSBright Shengborn 1955 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  35. 35Yu LongYu Longborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  36. 36Albert AuAlbert Auborn 1955 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  37. 37Ken ChoiKen Choiborn 1960 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  38. 38Zhu Xiao-MeiZhu Xiao-Meiborn 1949 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  39. 39WLWang Luobin1913–1996 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  40. 40Zhao JipingZhao Jipingborn 1945 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  41. 41CSCong Suborn 1957 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  42. 42Li JinhuiLi Jinhui1891–1967 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  43. 43Zheng XiaoyingZheng Xiaoyingborn 1929 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Ma SicongMa Sicong1912–1987 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  45. 45YMYao Min1917–1967 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  46. 46Kwan Hoi-sanKwan Hoi-san1925–2006 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  47. 47Joe JuniorJoe Juniorborn 1947 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Zhou LongZhou Longborn 1953 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  49. 49BBBuren Bayaer1960–2018 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Wu ZhengyiWu Zhengyi1916–2013 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Prudence LiewPrudence Liewborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  52. 52Cheng MaoyunCheng Maoyun1900–1957 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Wu ManWu Manborn 1963 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  54. 54TDTseten Dolmaborn 1937 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Albert LeungAlbert Leungborn 1961 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  56. 56MTMuhai Tangborn 1949 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  57. 57Pal SinnPal Sinnborn 1959 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Xue FanXue Fan1934–2022 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  59. 59LLLi Lingyuborn 1963 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  60. 60YXYe Xiaogangborn 1955 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  61. 61Wan KwongWan Kwongborn 1944 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  62. 62LHLi Huanzhi1919–2000 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  63. 63MKMichael Kwanborn 1949 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Samantha LamSamantha Lamborn 1963 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  65. 65CMCai Mingborn 1961 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Yuan XuefenYuan Xuefen1922–2011 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  67. 67Liu SolaLiu Solaborn 1955 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Chen GexinChen Gexin1914–1961 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  69. 69TenggerTenggerborn 1960 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  70. 70Li GuyiLi Guyiborn 1944 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  71. 71DSDing Shande1911–1995 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  72. 72WKWang Kun1925–2014 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Yip Wing-sieYip Wing-sieborn 1960 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Xin FengxiaXin Fengxia1927–1998 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75WMWarren Mokborn 1958 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  76. 76Barbara FeiBarbara Fei1931–2017 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  77. 77CCChow Ching Lie1936–2025 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  78. 78Zhu Jian'erZhu Jian'er1922–2017 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Chen YumeiChen Yumei1910–1985 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  80. 80Dai YuqiangDai Yuqiangborn 1963 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  81. 81CWChan Wing-wahborn 1954 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  82. 82LWLiu Wenjin1937–2013 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  83. 83He XuntianHe Xuntianborn 1954 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Nawang KhechogNawang Khechogborn 1954 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  85. 85Liu DehaiLiu Dehai1937–2020 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  86. 86Paul WongPaul Wongborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  87. 87David LuiDavid Luiborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  88. 88RLRichard Lam1947–2003 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  89. 89MLMichael Lai1946–2019 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  90. 90LSLiu Shikunborn 1939 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Zheng LüchengZheng Lücheng1914–1976 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Jiang YingJiang Ying1919–2012 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Wang FuliWang Fuliborn 1949 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Wong Ka KeungWong Ka Keungborn 1964 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Hwang Yau-taiHwang Yau-tai1912–2010 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  96. 96PXPeng Xiuwen1931–1996 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  97. 97TJTan Jiazhen1909–2008 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  98. 98GWGuo Wenjingborn 1956 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  99. 99DMDu Mingxinborn 1928 · 🇨🇳 China · Musiciansnot measured—
  100. 100MLMa Lanborn 1962 · 🇨🇳 China · 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.