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. 33Francisco de BorjaFrancisco de Borja1441–1511 · 15th century · Writers1.3
  34. 34Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of GandíaFrancis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía1510–1572 · 16th century · Politicians1.3
  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. 1Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades
  2. 2Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  3. 3Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot1934–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  4. 4Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  5. 5Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  6. 6François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  8. 8François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  9. 9Alain DelonAlain Delon1935–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  10. 10Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  11. 11Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  12. 12Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  13. 13Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  14. 14Henri MatisseHenri Matisse1869–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  15. 15Coco ChanelCoco Chanel1883–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers6 decades
  16. 16Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  17. 17Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  18. 18Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  19. 19Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Paul Belmondo1933–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  20. 20Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieuborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  21. 21Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  22. 22Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès1914–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  23. 23Michel PlatiniMichel Platiniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers5 decades
  24. 24Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  25. 25Catherine DeneuveCatherine Deneuveborn 1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  26. 26Isabelle AdjaniIsabelle Adjaniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  28. 28Marc ChagallMarc Chagall1887–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  29. 29Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  30. 30Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  31. 31Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  32. 32Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  33. 33Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  34. 34Luc BessonLuc Bessonborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors4 decades
  35. 35Juliette BinocheJuliette Binocheborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors4 decades
  36. 36Jean RenoJean Renoborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors2 decades
  37. 37Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent1936–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers5 decades
  38. 38Bernard ArnaultBernard Arnaultborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders4 decades
  39. 39Romy SchneiderRomy Schneider1938–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  40. 40Jeanne CalmentJeanne Calment1875–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  41. 41Christine LagardeChristine Lagardeborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades
  42. 42Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  43. 43Christian DiorChristian Dior1905–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers8 decades
  44. 44Jean GabinJean Gabin1904–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  45. 45Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg1928–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  47. 47François TruffautFrançois Truffaut1932–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  48. 48Johnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday1943–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  49. 49Jules RimetJules Rimet1873–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Lawyers3 decades
  50. 50Jeanne MoreauJeanne Moreau1928–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  51. 51Albert SchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer1875–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors12 decades
  52. 52Isabelle HuppertIsabelle Huppertborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  53. 53Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  54. 54Yves MontandYves Montand1921–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  55. 55Christopher LambertChristopher Lambertborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors1 decades
  56. 56Jean-Michel JarreJean-Michel Jarreborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  57. 57Alain ProstAlain Prostborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Athletes4 decades
  58. 58Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  59. 59Brigitte MacronBrigitte Macronborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  60. 60Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  61. 61Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  62. 62Mireille MathieuMireille Mathieuborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  63. 63ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  65. 65Irène Joliot-CurieIrène Joliot-Curie1897–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  66. 66Just FontaineJust Fontaine1933–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  67. 67Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  68. 68Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  69. 69Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu1930–2002 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  70. 70Dominique de VillepinDominique de Villepinborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades
  71. 71Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  72. 72Gilles DeleuzeGilles Deleuze1925–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  73. 73Simone SignoretSimone Signoret1921–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  74. 74Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  75. 75Jacques DerridaJacques Derrida1930–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  76. 76France GallFrance Gall1947–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  77. 77Kristin Scott ThomasKristin Scott Thomasborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  78. 78Frantz FanonFrantz Fanon1925–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors7 decades
  79. 79André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  80. 80Jean-Bédel BokassaJean-Bédel Bokassa1921–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades
  81. 81Jean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc Mélenchonborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1 decades
  82. 82Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  83. 83René GoscinnyRené Goscinny1926–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  84. 84Ségolène RoyalSégolène Royalborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  85. 85Jean MaraisJean Marais1913–1998 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  86. 86Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  87. 87Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  88. 88Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  89. 89Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  90. 90Dominique Strauss-KahnDominique Strauss-Kahnborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics4 decades
  91. 91Édouard BalladurÉdouard Balladurborn 1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  93. 93Jean-Pierre PapinJean-Pierre Papinborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  94. 94Louis MalleLouis Malle1932–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  95. 95Jean-Louis TrintignantJean-Louis Trintignant1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  96. 96Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt1910–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  97. 97Jean BaudrillardJean Baudrillard1929–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  98. 98FernandelFernandel1903–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  99. 99Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  100. 100Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades

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.