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. 1Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  2. 2Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  3. 3Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  4. 4Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  5. 5Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg1928–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  6. 6Johnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday1943–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  7. 7Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  8. 8Jean-Michel JarreJean-Michel Jarreborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  9. 9Mireille MathieuMireille Mathieuborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  10. 10France GallFrance Gall1947–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  11. 11Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt1910–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  12. 12Françoise HardyFrançoise Hardy1944–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  13. 13Manu ChaoManu Chaoborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  14. 14Amanda LearAmanda Learborn 1939 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  15. 15Richard ClaydermanRichard Claydermanborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  16. 16Georges BrassensGeorges Brassens1921–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  17. 17Olivier MessiaenOlivier Messiaen1908–1992 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians9 decades
  18. 18Sylvie VartanSylvie Vartanborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  19. 19Marie LaforêtMarie Laforêt1939–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  20. 20JeanJeanborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  21. 21Claude FrançoisClaude François1939–1978 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  22. 22Maurice ChevalierMaurice Chevalier1888–1972 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians10 decades
  23. 23Michel LegrandMichel Legrand1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  24. 24Goran BregovićGoran Bregovićborn 1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  25. 25Maurice JarreMaurice Jarre1924–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  26. 26Marie MyriamMarie Myriamborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  27. 27Francis PoulencFrancis Poulenc1899–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians10 decades
  28. 28Enrico MaciasEnrico Maciasborn 1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  29. 29Gilbert BécaudGilbert Bécaud1927–2001 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  30. 30Juliette GrécoJuliette Gréco1927–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  31. 31Charles TrenetCharles Trenet1913–2001 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  32. 32Michel SardouMichel Sardouborn 1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  33. 33RenaudRenaudborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  34. 34BarbaraBarbara1930–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  35. 35Alexandre DesplatAlexandre Desplatborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians0 decades
  36. 36Isabelle AubretIsabelle Aubretborn 1938 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  37. 37Caterina ValenteCaterina Valente1931–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  38. 38ZazieZazieborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  39. 39Nadia BoulangerNadia Boulanger1887–1979 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  40. 40Pierre BoulezPierre Boulez1925–2016 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  41. 41Edita PiekhaEdita Piekhaborn 1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  42. 42DesirelessDesirelessborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  43. 43Francis CabrelFrancis Cabrelborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Jean FerratJean Ferrat1930–2010 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  45. 45Paul MauriatPaul Mauriat1925–2006 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  46. 46Alison MoyetAlison Moyetborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  47. 47Iannis XenakisIannis Xenakis1922–2001 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Alan StivellAlan Stivellborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  49. 49Claudine LongetClaudine Longet1942–2026 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Philippe LéotardPhilippe Léotard1940–2001 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Michel BergerMichel Berger1947–1992 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  52. 52Lili BoulangerLili Boulanger1893–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Jean-Claude PascalJean-Claude Pascal1927–1992 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  54. 54Henri SalvadorHenri Salvador1917–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Serge ReggianiSerge Reggiani1922–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  56. 56Warda El- DjazairiaWarda El- Djazairia1939–2012 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  57. 57Alain SouchonAlain Souchonborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Sacha DistelSacha Distel1933–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Darius MilhaudDarius Milhaud1892–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  60. 60Daniel BalavoineDaniel Balavoine1952–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  61. 61SheilaSheilaborn 1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  62. 62Pierre BacheletPierre Bachelet1944–2005 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  63. 63Edgard VarèseEdgard Varèse1883–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  64. 64Michel PetruccianiMichel Petrucciani1962–1999 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Marc LavoineMarc Lavoineborn 1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Michel DelpechMichel Delpech1946–2016 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  67. 67Florent PagnyFlorent Pagnyborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Alain BashungAlain Bashung1947–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  69. 69Paul DukasPaul Dukas1865–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians13 decades
  70. 70ChristopheChristophe1945–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Stéphane GrappelliStéphane Grappelli1908–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  72. 72Jacqueline BoyerJacqueline Boyerborn 1941 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Hugues AufrayHugues Aufrayborn 1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Francis LaiFrancis Lai1932–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Anne-Marie DavidAnne-Marie Davidborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  76. 76Bertrand CantatBertrand Cantatborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Tino RossiTino Rossi1907–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  78. 78Claude NougaroClaude Nougaro1929–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Serge LamaSerge Lamaborn 1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  80. 80F. R. DavidF. R. Davidborn 1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  81. 81Vladimir CosmaVladimir Cosmaborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Roberto AlagnaRoberto Alagnaborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  83. 83Gérard LenormanGérard Lenormanborn 1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Michel PolnareffMichel Polnareffborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  85. 85Véronique SansonVéronique Sansonborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  86. 86Éric SerraÉric Serraborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  87. 87Eddy MitchellEddy Mitchellborn 1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  88. 88Patrick HernandezPatrick Hernandezborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Alfred CortotAlfred Cortot1877–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Georges DelerueGeorges Delerue1925–1992 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Henri DutilleuxHenri Dutilleux1916–2013 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Ivry GitlisIvry Gitlis1922–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Claude-Michel SchönbergClaude-Michel Schönbergborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Pierre SchaefferPierre Schaeffer1910–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Reynaldo HahnReynaldo Hahn1874–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  96. 96SéverineSéverineborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  97. 97André ClaveauAndré Claveau1911–2003 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  98. 98Jean-Luc PontyJean-Luc Pontyborn 1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  99. 99Zizi JeanmaireZizi Jeanmaire1924–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Musiciansnot measured—
  100. 100Richard AnthonyRichard Anthony1938–2015 · 🇫🇷 France · 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.