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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1VoltaireVoltaire1694–1778 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers23
  2. 2Louis XIV of FranceLouis XIV of France1638–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures15
  3. 3MolièreMolière1622–1673 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12
  4. 4StendhalStendhal1783–1842 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10
  5. 5Victor HugoVictor Hugo1802–1885 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9.4
  6. 6Louis XVI of FranceLouis XVI of France1754–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures7.0
  7. 7MontesquieuMontesquieu1689–1755 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6.4
  8. 8Louis XV of FranceLouis XV of France1710–1774 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures6.2
  9. 9François FénelonFrançois Fénelon1651–1715 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures4.6
  10. 10Joan of ArcJoan of Arc1412–1431 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France4.0
  11. 11Napoleon IIINapoleon III1808–1873 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.6
  12. 12George SandGeorge Sand1804–1876 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3.4
  13. 13Henry II of FranceHenry II of France1519–1559 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.3
  14. 14HIHenry II, Count of Euborn 1160 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France3.3
  15. 15Louis XVIII of FranceLouis XVIII of France1755–1824 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3.1
  16. 16François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2.3
  17. 17Pierre de MarivauxPierre de Marivaux1688–1763 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.2
  18. 18Anatole FranceAnatole France1844–1924 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers2.2
  19. 19Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette1755–1793 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures2.1
  20. 20Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales1567–1622 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures2.0
  21. 21André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.9
  22. 22Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.9
  23. 23Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  24. 24Charles X of FranceCharles X of France1757–1836 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.8
  25. 25Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  26. 26Auguste ComteAuguste Comte1798–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics1.7
  27. 27Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.7
  28. 28Louis XII of FranceLouis XII of France1462–1515 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures1.7
  29. 29Benjamin ConstantBenjamin Constant1767–1830 · 19th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Politicians1.6
  30. 30Vincent de PaulVincent de Paul1581–1660 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures1.5
  31. 31Charles Marie René Leconte de LisleCharles Marie René Leconte de Lisle1818–1894 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.5
  32. 32Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  33. 33Théophile GautierThéophile Gautier1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.4
  34. 34Claude BernardClaude Bernard1813–1878 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.4
  35. 35Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778 · 18th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Academics1.3
  36. 36Jules FerryJules Ferry1832–1893 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  37. 37Paul ClaudelPaul Claudel1868–1955 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.3
  38. 38AdunisAdunisborn 1930 · 20th century · Writers1.2
  39. 39Alexandre Dumas filsAlexandre Dumas fils1824–1895 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  40. 40Alexandre DumasAlexandre Dumas1802–1870 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.2
  41. 41Maine de BiranMaine de Biran1766–1824 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  42. 42Jules VerneJules Verne1828–1905 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.1
  43. 43Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.1
  44. 44Louis BlancLouis Blanc1811–1882 · 19th century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Politicians1.0
  45. 45Léon BloyLéon Bloy1846–1917 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1.0
  46. 46Marie de' MediciMarie de' Medici1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1.00
  47. 47Paul BourgetPaul Bourget1852–1935 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.99
  48. 48Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.98
  49. 49André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.97
  50. 50Charles V, Holy Roman EmperorCharles V, Holy Roman Emperor1500–1558 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.97
  51. 51Le CorbusierLe Corbusier1887–1965 · 20th century · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Architects0.95
  52. 52Philip V of SpainPhilip V of Spain1683–1746 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.94
  53. 53Alfred de VignyAlfred de Vigny1797–1863 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.93
  54. 54Alfred de MussetAlfred de Musset1810–1857 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.92
  55. 55Francis II of FranceFrancis II of France1544–1560 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.91
  56. 56Pierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de BrantômePierre de Bourdeille, seigneur de Brantôme1540–1614 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.91
  57. 57Joseph de MaistreJoseph de Maistre1753–1821 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.91
  58. 58François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.88
  59. 59Pope John XXIIPope John XXII1244–1334 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.88
  60. 60Gérard de NervalGérard de Nerval1808–1855 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.84
  61. 61Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.83
  62. 62Charles the BoldCharles the Bold1433–1477 · 15th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.83
  63. 63Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.78
  64. 64André ChénierAndré Chénier1762–1794 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.76
  65. 65André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.75
  66. 66Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet1840–1897 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.74
  67. 67Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.74
  68. 68La GrangeLa Grange1635–1692 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.74
  69. 69Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.72
  70. 70Jules SimonJules Simon1814–1896 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.71
  71. 71Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.69
  72. 72Chrétien de TroyesChrétien de Troyes1135–1181 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.67
  73. 73Jules FavreJules Favre1809–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.66
  74. 74NapoleonNapoleon1769–1821 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.66
  75. 75Alain JuppéAlain Juppéborn 1945 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.66
  76. 76Gaston ParisGaston Paris1839–1903 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.65
  77. 77Maurice BarrèsMaurice Barrès1862–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.65
  78. 78Louis XVII of FranceLouis XVII of France1785–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France0.64
  79. 79Pope Julius IIPope Julius II1443–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.62
  80. 80Henri de RégnierHenri de Régnier1864–1936 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.62
  81. 81Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.61
  82. 82Victor CousinVictor Cousin1792–1867 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.60
  83. 83Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.60
  84. 84Sarah BernhardtSarah Bernhardt1844–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Actors0.58
  85. 85Lionel JospinLionel Jospin1937–2026 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.58
  86. 86Jules LemaîtreJules Lemaître1853–1914 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.57
  87. 87Léon BourgeoisLéon Bourgeois1851–1925 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.57
  88. 88Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.56
  89. 89Jules RenardJules Renard1864–1910 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  90. 90Pierre LotiPierre Loti1850–1923 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.56
  91. 91Vincent AuriolVincent Auriol1884–1966 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.56
  92. 92Gustave FlaubertGustave Flaubert1821–1880 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.55
  93. 93Charles de Lorraine de VaudémontCharles de Lorraine de Vaudémont1561–1587 · 16th century · 🇫🇷 France · Religious Figures0.55
  94. 94Charles of LorraineCharles of Lorraine1567–1607 · 17th century · 🇫🇷 France0.55
  95. 95Gabriel MarcelGabriel Marcel1889–1973 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Academics0.54
  96. 96Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.53
  97. 97Robert SchumanRobert Schuman1886–1963 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.53
  98. 98Raymond PoincaréRaymond Poincaré1860–1934 · 19th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.52
  99. 99Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.52
  100. 100Saint-John PerseSaint-John Perse1887–1975 · 20th century · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0.52

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. 1Jordan PetersonJordan Petersonborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics0 decades
  2. 2Marshall McLuhanMarshall McLuhan1911–1980 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics7 decades
  3. 3James RandiJames Randi1928–2020 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics3 decades
  4. 4Erving GoffmanErving Goffman1922–1982 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics6 decades
  5. 5Albert BanduraAlbert Bandura1925–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics6 decades
  6. 6John Kenneth GalbraithJohn Kenneth Galbraith1908–2006 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics7 decades
  7. 7Yoshua BengioYoshua Bengioborn 1964 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  8. 8Birutė GaldikasBirutė Galdikas1946–2026 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  9. 9Shulamith FirestoneShulamith Firestone1945–2012 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  10. 10Ian StevensonIan Stevenson1918–2007 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  11. 11Michael IgnatieffMichael Ignatieffborn 1947 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  12. 12Myron ScholesMyron Scholesborn 1941 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics3 decades
  13. 13Henry Mintzberg StorchHenry Mintzberg Storchborn 1939 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  14. 14Peter HowittPeter Howittborn 1946 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  15. 15Jean VanierJean Vanier1928–2019 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  16. 16Vaclav SmilVaclav Smilborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  17. 17Gerald CohenGerald Cohen1941–2009 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  18. 18Ian HackingIan Hacking1936–2023 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  19. 19Robert MundellRobert Mundell1932–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics2 decades
  20. 20Brenda MilnerBrenda Milnerborn 1918 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  21. 21Robert LanglandsRobert Langlandsborn 1936 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  22. 22Donald O. HebbDonald O. Hebb1904–1985 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  23. 23HMHans Moravecborn 1948 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  24. 24Suzanne W. SimardSuzanne W. Simardborn 1960 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  25. 25Gad SaadGad Saadborn 1964 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  26. 26David CardDavid Cardborn 1956 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  27. 27Patricia ChurchlandPatricia Churchlandborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  28. 28Laurence J. PeterLaurence J. Peter1919–1990 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  29. 29Will KymlickaWill Kymlickaborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  30. 30Louis NirenbergLouis Nirenberg1925–2020 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  31. 31David EastonDavid Easton1917–2014 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  32. 32Harold InnisHarold Innis1894–1952 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  33. 33Kenneth E. IversonKenneth E. Iverson1920–2004 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  34. 34J. I. PackerJ. I. Packer1926–2020 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  35. 35William KahanWilliam Kahanborn 1933 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  36. 36RDRobert D. Hareborn 1934 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  37. 37PCPaul Churchlandborn 1942 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  38. 38John Tuzo WilsonJohn Tuzo Wilson1908–1993 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  39. 39Charles Brenton HugginsCharles Brenton Huggins1901–1997 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academics0 decades
  40. 40JPJ. Philippe Rushton1943–2012 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  41. 41Albert W. TuckerAlbert W. Tucker1905–1995 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  42. 42Shirley M. TilghmanShirley M. Tilghmanborn 1946 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  43. 43Ingrid MattsonIngrid Mattsonborn 1963 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  44. 44Philip J. CurriePhilip J. Currieborn 1949 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  45. 45Michel Evgenij ChossudovskyMichel Evgenij Chossudovskyborn 1946 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  46. 46Irving KaplanskyIrving Kaplansky1917–2006 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  47. 47Dorothy E. SmithDorothy E. Smith1926–2022 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  48. 48Eric A. HavelockEric A. Havelock1903–1988 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  49. 49Wael HallaqWael Hallaqborn 1955 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  50. 50Jacob VinerJacob Viner1892–1970 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  51. 51Robert ElsieRobert Elsie1950–2017 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  52. 52RJRamin Jahanbeglooborn 1956 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  53. 53Diamond JennessDiamond Jenness1886–1969 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  54. 54Maria KlaweMaria Klaweborn 1951 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  55. 55John Peters HumphreyJohn Peters Humphrey1905–1995 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  56. 56DRDale Russell1937–2019 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  57. 57GBGregory Baum1923–2017 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  58. 58Leo PanitchLeo Panitch1945–2020 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  59. 59Aloysius AmbrozicAloysius Ambrozic1930–2011 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  60. 60Marius BarbeauMarius Barbeau1883–1969 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  61. 61Don TapscottDon Tapscottborn 1947 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  62. 62James Bertram CollipJames Bertram Collip1892–1965 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  63. 63David ParnasDavid Parnasborn 1941 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  64. 64DGDavid Gauthier1932–2023 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  65. 65Richard FoltzRichard Foltzborn 1961 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  66. 66Simon PlouffeSimon Plouffeborn 1956 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  67. 67Jeremy NarbyJeremy Narbyborn 1959 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  68. 68Tiff MacklemTiff Macklemborn 1961 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  69. 69William SchabasWilliam Schabasborn 1950 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  70. 70DBDonald B. Redford1934–2024 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  71. 71Václav ChvátalVáclav Chvátalborn 1946 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  72. 72Ivan M. NivenIvan M. Niven1915–1999 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  73. 73Jerrold E. MarsdenJerrold E. Marsden1942–2010 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  74. 74EJElliott Jaques1917–2003 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  75. 75RWRobert W. Cox1926–2018 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  76. 76Colin Munro MacLeodColin Munro MacLeod1909–1972 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  77. 77NSNahum Sonenbergborn 1946 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  78. 78Lauchlin CurrieLauchlin Currie1902–1993 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  79. 79William E. ReesWilliam E. Reesborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  80. 80John MightonJohn Mightonborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  81. 81AGAndrew Granvilleborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  82. 82Brian GoodwinBrian Goodwin1931–2009 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  83. 83Michèle LamontMichèle Lamontborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  84. 84ETEvan Thompsonborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  85. 85Leo MoserLeo Moser1921–1970 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  86. 86PTPaul Thagardborn 1950 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  87. 87Jack EdmondsJack Edmondsborn 1934 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  88. 88Jean-Marie-Rodrigue VilleneuveJean-Marie-Rodrigue Villeneuve1883–1947 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  89. 89LALeonidas Alaoglu1914–1981 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  90. 90TWTak Wah Makborn 1946 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  91. 91CBC. B. Macpherson1911–1987 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  92. 92JBJonathan Borwein1951–2016 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  93. 93Bruce TriggerBruce Trigger1937–2006 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  94. 94David MatasDavid Matasborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  95. 95Oleh HornykiewiczOleh Hornykiewicz1926–2020 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  96. 96Brian MassumiBrian Massumiborn 1956 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  97. 97Stevo TodorčevićStevo Todorčevićborn 1955 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  98. 98James Charles McGuiganJames Charles McGuigan1894–1974 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  99. 99Reginald Ruggles GatesReginald Ruggles Gates1882–1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot measured—
  100. 100DKDonald Kingsburyborn 1929 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Academicsnot 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.