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. 1Steven SpielbergSteven Spielbergborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  2. 2Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantinoborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  3. 3Woody AllenWoody Allenborn 1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  4. 4Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick1928–1999 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  5. 5Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  6. 6David LynchDavid Lynch1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  7. 7Martin ScorseseMartin Scorseseborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  8. 8George LucasGeorge Lucasborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  9. 9Orson WellesOrson Welles1915–1985 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors9 decades
  10. 10Tim BurtonTim Burtonborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  11. 11Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppolaborn 1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  12. 12Buster KeatonBuster Keaton1895–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  13. 13Oliver StoneOliver Stoneborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  14. 14Rob ReinerRob Reiner1947–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  15. 15David FincherDavid Fincherborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  16. 16Steven SoderberghSteven Soderberghborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  17. 17Ron HowardRon Howardborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  18. 18Brian De PalmaBrian De Palmaborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  19. 19Ted TurnerTed Turner1938–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  20. 20Caitlyn JennerCaitlyn Jennerborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1 decades
  21. 21Billy WilderBilly Wilder1906–2002 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  22. 22Bob SagetBob Saget1956–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  23. 23Spike LeeSpike Leeborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  24. 24Sam RaimiSam Raimiborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  25. 25Elia KazanElia Kazan1909–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  26. 26John FordJohn Ford1894–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors13 decades
  27. 27Sydney PollackSydney Pollack1934–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  28. 28Matt GroeningMatt Groeningborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  29. 29Kathryn BigelowKathryn Bigelowborn 1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  30. 30Harvey WeinsteinHarvey Weinsteinborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  31. 31John HustonJohn Huston1906–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors12 decades
  32. 32Andrei KonchalovskyAndrei Konchalovskyborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  33. 33Sidney LumetSidney Lumet1924–2011 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  34. 34John CarpenterJohn Carpenterborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  35. 35Nora EphronNora Ephron1941–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  36. 36Joss WhedonJoss Whedonborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  37. 37Bob FosseBob Fosse1927–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  38. 38Jim JarmuschJim Jarmuschborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  39. 39Michael MooreMichael Mooreborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  40. 40Jim HensonJim Henson1936–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  41. 41Gus Van SantGus Van Santborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  42. 42Miloš FormanMiloš Forman1932–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  43. 43Kris JennerKris Jennerborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  44. 44Chris ColumbusChris Columbusborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  45. 45Robert AltmanRobert Altman1925–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  46. 46Michael MannMichael Mannborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  47. 47John CassavetesJohn Cassavetes1929–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  48. 48Terrence MalickTerrence Malickborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  49. 49Mike NicholsMike Nichols1931–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  50. 50Wes CravenWes Craven1939–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  51. 51Aaron SorkinAaron Sorkinborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  52. 52Steve BannonSteve Bannonborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1 decades
  53. 53George A. RomeroGeorge A. Romero1940–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  54. 54Richard LinklaterRichard Linklaterborn 1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  55. 55Jonathan DemmeJonathan Demme1944–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  56. 56Cecil B. DeMilleCecil B. DeMille1881–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  57. 57Blake EdwardsBlake Edwards1922–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  58. 58Harold RamisHarold Ramis1944–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  59. 59Peter BogdanovichPeter Bogdanovich1939–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  60. 60Vincente MinnelliVincente Minnelli1903–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  61. 61Joel SchumacherJoel Schumacher1939–2020 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  62. 62D. W. GriffithD. W. Griffith1875–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors11 decades
  63. 63William FriedkinWilliam Friedkin1935–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  64. 64John WatersJohn Watersborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  65. 65John LandisJohn Landisborn 1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  66. 66John LasseterJohn Lasseterborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  67. 67Ray ManzarekRay Manzarek1939–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  68. 68Jerry BruckheimerJerry Bruckheimerborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  69. 69William WylerWilliam Wyler1902–1981 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  70. 70Lee StrasbergLee Strasberg1901–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  71. 71Sam PeckinpahSam Peckinpah1925–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  72. 72Frank DarabontFrank Darabontborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  73. 73John HughesJohn Hughes1950–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  74. 74Gore VerbinskiGore Verbinskiborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  75. 75William HannaWilliam Hanna1910–2001 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  76. 76Black DahliaBlack Dahlia1924–1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  77. 77Vincent GalloVincent Galloborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  78. 78Howard HawksHoward Hawks1896–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors7 decades
  79. 79Joseph BarberaJoseph Barbera1911–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  80. 80Charlie KaufmanCharlie Kaufmanborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  81. 81Roger CormanRoger Corman1926–2024 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  82. 82Heather O'RourkeHeather O'Rourke1975–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  83. 83James MangoldJames Mangoldborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  84. 84James L. BrooksJames L. Brooksborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  85. 85Alexander PayneAlexander Payneborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  86. 86Ken BurnsKen Burnsborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  87. 87Mike JudgeMike Judgeborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  88. 88Brad BirdBrad Birdborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  89. 89Richard DonnerRichard Donner1930–2021 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  90. 90George CukorGeorge Cukor1899–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors9 decades
  91. 91David O. RussellDavid O. Russellborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  92. 92Ray HarryhausenRay Harryhausen1920–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  93. 93Chuck LorreChuck Lorreborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  94. 94Joseph L. MankiewiczJoseph L. Mankiewicz1909–1993 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  95. 95Kathleen KennedyKathleen Kennedyborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  96. 96Cameron CroweCameron Croweborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  97. 97Don BluthDon Bluthborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  98. 98Aaron SpellingAaron Spelling1923–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  99. 99Nick CassavetesNick Cassavetesborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot measured—
  100. 100Louis B. MayerLouis B. Mayer1884–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directorsnot 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.