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. 1Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  2. 2Silvio BerlusconiSilvio Berlusconi1936–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  3. 3Pope John Paul IPope John Paul I1912–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2 decades
  4. 4Sophia LorenSophia Lorenborn 1934 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  5. 5Pope John XXIIIPope John XXIII1881–1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures14 decades
  6. 6Pope Paul VIPope Paul VI1897–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures6 decades
  7. 7Pope Pius XIIPope Pius XII1876–1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures8 decades
  8. 8Sergio MattarellaSergio Mattarellaborn 1941 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4 decades
  9. 9Federico FelliniFederico Fellini1920–1993 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  10. 10Monica BellucciMonica Bellucciborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors3 decades
  11. 11Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7 decades
  12. 12Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci1891–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics9 decades
  13. 13Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarotti1935–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Enrico FermiEnrico Fermi1901–1954 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists10 decades
  15. 15Andrea BocelliAndrea Bocelliborn 1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians3 decades
  16. 16Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini1922–1975 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers8 decades
  17. 17Claudia CardinaleClaudia Cardinale1938–2025 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  18. 18Carlo AncelottiCarlo Ancelottiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  19. 19Marcello MastroianniMarcello Mastroianni1924–1996 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  20. 20Adriano CelentanoAdriano Celentanoborn 1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  21. 21Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone1928–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  22. 22Sergio LeoneSergio Leone1929–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  23. 23Bud SpencerBud Spencer1929–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  24. 24Enzo FerrariEnzo Ferrari1898–1988 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Athletes10 decades
  25. 25Ornella MutiOrnella Mutiborn 1955 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  26. 26Isabella RosselliniIsabella Rosselliniborn 1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Terence HillTerence Hillborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  28. 28Roberto ManciniRoberto Manciniborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  29. 29Franco BaresiFranco Baresi1960–2026 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  30. 30Victor Emmanuel III of ItalyVictor Emmanuel III of Italy1869–1947 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures8 decades
  31. 31Roberto BenigniRoberto Benigniborn 1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  32. 32Rudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino1895–1926 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors10 decades
  33. 33Paolo RossiPaolo Rossi1956–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers7 decades
  34. 34Aldo MoroAldo Moro1916–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  35. 35Maria MontessoriMaria Montessori1870–1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Doctors12 decades
  36. 36Gina LollobrigidaGina Lollobrigida1927–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  37. 37Reinhold MessnerReinhold Messnerborn 1944 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures5 decades
  38. 38Umberto II of ItalyUmberto II of Italy1904–1983 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures7 decades
  39. 39Bernardo BertolucciBernardo Bertolucci1941–2018 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  40. 40Pierluigi CollinaPierluigi Collinaborn 1960 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1 decades
  41. 41Eros RamazzottiEros Ramazzottiborn 1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians4 decades
  42. 42Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi1874–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists13 decades
  43. 43Gianni VersaceGianni Versace1946–1997 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Designers4 decades
  44. 44Amedeo ModiglianiAmedeo Modigliani1884–1920 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists10 decades
  45. 45Vittorio De SicaVittorio De Sica1901–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  46. 46Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani1934–2025 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Designers5 decades
  47. 47Sonia GandhiSonia Gandhiborn 1946 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3 decades
  48. 48Claudio RanieriClaudio Ranieriborn 1951 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  49. 49Salvatore SchillaciSalvatore Schillaci1964–2024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers0 decades
  50. 50Dino ZoffDino Zoffborn 1942 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers4 decades
  51. 51Padre PioPadre Pio1887–1968 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures7 decades
  52. 52Fabio CapelloFabio Capelloborn 1946 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  53. 53Michelangelo AntonioniMichelangelo Antonioni1912–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  54. 54Oriana FallaciOriana Fallaci1929–2006 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists6 decades
  55. 55Italo CalvinoItalo Calvino1923–1985 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists8 decades
  56. 56Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti1906–1976 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors12 decades
  57. 57Mario DraghiMario Draghiborn 1947 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics3 decades
  58. 58Marcello LippiMarcello Lippiborn 1948 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  59. 59Giuseppe ConteGiuseppe Conteborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  60. 60Roberto RosselliniRoberto Rossellini1906–1977 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  61. 61Donatella VersaceDonatella Versaceborn 1955 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Designers3 decades
  62. 62Primo LeviPrimo Levi1919–1987 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists11 decades
  63. 63Franco NeroFranco Neroborn 1941 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  64. 64Giulio AndreottiGiulio Andreotti1919–2013 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  65. 65Julius EvolaJulius Evola1898–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics7 decades
  66. 66Giuseppe MeazzaGiuseppe Meazza1910–1979 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  67. 67Lucky LucianoLucky Luciano1897–1962 · 🇮🇹 Italynot measured—
  68. 68Ferruccio LamborghiniFerruccio Lamborghini1916–1993 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Foundersnot measured—
  69. 69Rocco SiffrediRocco Siffrediborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors3 decades
  70. 70Toto CutugnoToto Cutugno1943–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians4 decades
  71. 71Anna MagnaniAnna Magnani1908–1973 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors8 decades
  72. 72Vittorio GassmanVittorio Gassman1922–2000 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors8 decades
  73. 73Giorgio NapolitanoGiorgio Napolitano1925–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  74. 74Giorgio MoroderGiorgio Moroderborn 1940 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Giuseppe BergomiGiuseppe Bergomiborn 1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  76. 76EFElena Ferranteborn 1943 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3 decades
  77. 77Luciano SpallettiLuciano Spallettiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  78. 78Gianluca VialliGianluca Vialli1964–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  79. 79Giovanni TrapattoniGiovanni Trapattoniborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers4 decades
  80. 80Giancarlo GianniniGiancarlo Gianniniborn 1942 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  81. 81Gianni RiveraGianni Riveraborn 1943 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers5 decades
  82. 82Maurizio SarriMaurizio Sarriborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  83. 83Monica VittiMonica Vitti1931–2022 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  84. 84Clara PetacciClara Petacci1912–1945 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  85. 85Pietro BadoglioPietro Badoglio1871–1956 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  86. 86Enrico CarusoEnrico Caruso1873–1921 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians12 decades
  87. 87Virna LisiVirna Lisi1936–2014 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  88. 88Alberto MoraviaAlberto Moravia1907–1990 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers10 decades
  89. 89Gigi RivaGigi Riva1944–2024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers5 decades
  90. 90Frank CapraFrank Capra1897–1991 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  91. 91Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers13 decades
  92. 92Romano ProdiRomano Prodiborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  93. 93Alberto SordiAlberto Sordi1920–2003 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  94. 94Salvatore RiinaSalvatore Riina1930–2017 · 🇮🇹 Italynot measured—
  95. 95Cesare PaveseCesare Pavese1908–1950 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers9 decades
  96. 96Dario ArgentoDario Argentoborn 1940 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors5 decades
  97. 97Bettino CraxiBettino Craxi1934–2000 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  98. 98Silvana ManganoSilvana Mangano1930–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  99. 99Danny HustonDanny Hustonborn 1962 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actorsnot measured—
  100. 100Renzo PianoRenzo Pianoborn 1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects6 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.