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. 1Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  2. 2Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  3. 3Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  4. 4Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  5. 5Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  6. 6ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  7. 7Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  8. 8Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  9. 9Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  10. 10Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  11. 11André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  12. 12Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  13. 13Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  14. 14Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  15. 15Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  17. 17Georges BatailleGeorges Bataille1897–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  18. 18André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  19. 19Marguerite YourcenarMarguerite Yourcenar1903–1987 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  20. 20André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  21. 21Jean GenetJean Genet1910–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  22. 22Guillaume ApollinaireGuillaume Apollinaire1880–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  23. 23Françoise SaganFrançoise Sagan1935–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  24. 24Boris VianBoris Vian1920–1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  25. 25Paul ÉluardPaul Éluard1895–1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  26. 26Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  27. 27Antonin ArtaudAntonin Artaud1896–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  28. 28Gisèle PelicotGisèle Pelicotborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  29. 29René GirardRené Girard1923–2015 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  30. 30René GuénonRené Guénon1886–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  31. 31Paul CelanPaul Celan1920–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  32. 32Louis AragonLouis Aragon1897–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  33. 33Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  34. 34Alexander AlekhineAlexander Alekhine1892–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  35. 35Henri CharrièreHenri Charrière1906–1973 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  36. 36Jean GiraudJean Giraud1938–2012 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  37. 37Fred VargasFred Vargasborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Ève CurieÈve Curie1904–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Guy DebordGuy Debord1931–1994 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  40. 40François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  41. 41Gaston LerouxGaston Leroux1868–1927 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  42. 42Georges PerecGeorges Perec1936–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  43. 43Patrick ModianoPatrick Modianoborn 1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  44. 44Éric-Emmanuel SchmittÉric-Emmanuel Schmittborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  45. 45Aimé CésaireAimé Césaire1913–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  46. 46Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  47. 47Edmond RostandEdmond Rostand1868–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  48. 48Jacques PrévertJacques Prévert1900–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  49. 49Fernand BraudelFernand Braudel1902–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  50. 50Sacha GuitrySacha Guitry1885–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  51. 51Pierre LemaitrePierre Lemaitreborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  52. 52Emmanuel CarrèreEmmanuel Carrèreborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Bernard WerberBernard Werberborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  54. 54Pierre NoraPierre Nora1931–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55Jean GionoJean Giono1895–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  56. 56J. M. G. Le ClézioJ. M. G. Le Clézioborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  57. 57Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  58. 58Georges BernanosGeorges Bernanos1888–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  59. 59Savitri DeviSavitri Devi1905–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Claude BerriClaude Berri1934–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Maurice DruonMaurice Druon1918–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  62. 62Alain BadiouAlain Badiouborn 1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  63. 63Gaston BachelardGaston Bachelard1884–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  64. 64Yasmina RezaYasmina Rezaborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Hélène Carrère d'EncausseHélène Carrère d'Encausse1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Jacques VergèsJacques Vergès1925–2013 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  67. 67Renaud CamusRenaud Camusborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Jean AnouilhJean Anouilh1910–1987 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  69. 69Raymond QueneauRaymond Queneau1903–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  70. 70Jean RaspailJean Raspail1925–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Elsa TrioletElsa Triolet1896–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Gabriel MatzneffGabriel Matzneffborn 1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Maurice BéjartMaurice Béjart1927–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  74. 74Boualem SansalBoualem Sansalborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Alfred JarryAlfred Jarry1873–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  76. 76André MauroisAndré Maurois1885–1967 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  77. 77Jean d'OrmessonJean d'Ormesson1925–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Pierre BoullePierre Boulle1912–1994 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  79. 79Alain Robbe-GrilletAlain Robbe-Grillet1922–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  80. 80Paul MorandPaul Morand1888–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Danielle MitterrandDanielle Mitterrand1924–2011 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Daniel PennacDaniel Pennacborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Princess Marie BonapartePrincess Marie Bonaparte1882–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Irène NémirovskyIrène Némirovsky1903–1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Brigitte FontaineBrigitte Fontaineborn 1939 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Robert BrasillachRobert Brasillach1909–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87FBFrançoise Bettencourt Meyersborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Marc LevyMarc Levyborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Pascal BrucknerPascal Brucknerborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Jean-Christophe RufinJean-Christophe Rufinborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Henri TroyatHenri Troyat1911–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  92. 92Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  93. 93Monique WittigMonique Wittig1935–2003 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Robert MerleRobert Merle1908–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Pierre Drieu La RochellePierre Drieu La Rochelle1893–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Maryse CondéMaryse Condé1934–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Henry de MontherlantHenry de Montherlant1895–1972 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  98. 98Henri BarbusseHenri Barbusse1873–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  99. 99Philippe PetitPhilippe Petitborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Raymond RadiguetRaymond Radiguet1903–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot 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.