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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1GiottoGiotto1267–1337 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists5.4
  2. 2Dante AlighieriDante Alighieri1265–1321 · 14th century · Writers5.0
  3. 3CaravaggioCaravaggio1571–1610 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.8
  4. 4Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci1452–1519 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.8
  5. 5Antonio da CorreggioAntonio da Correggio1489–1534 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists3.7
  6. 6Benedetto CroceBenedetto Croce1866–1952 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics3.3
  7. 7Donato BramanteDonato Bramante1444–1514 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects2.9
  8. 8DonatelloDonatello1386–1466 · 15th century · Artists2.8
  9. 9Giuseppe MazziniGiuseppe Mazzini1805–1872 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Activists2.2
  10. 10Alessandro ManzoniAlessandro Manzoni1785–1873 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2.2
  11. 11Ugo FoscoloUgo Foscolo1778–1827 · 19th century · Writers2.1
  12. 12Pietro PeruginoPietro Perugino1448–1523 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists2.0
  13. 13TintorettoTintoretto1519–1594 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.9
  14. 14Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi1182–1226 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.8
  15. 15Giacomo LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi1798–1837 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.8
  16. 16Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.8
  17. 17Torquato TassoTorquato Tasso1544–1595 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.7
  18. 18MasaccioMasaccio1401–1428 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.7
  19. 19Giordano BrunoGiordano Bruno1548–1600 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.6
  20. 20Lorenzo de' MediciLorenzo de' Medici1449–1492 · 15th century · Politicians1.6
  21. 21Galileo GalileiGalileo Galilei1564–1642 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists1.6
  22. 22Charles BorromeoCharles Borromeo1538–1584 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures1.6
  23. 23Giosuè CarducciGiosuè Carducci1835–1907 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.5
  24. 24Marco PoloMarco Polo1254–1324 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.4
  25. 25Giuseppe VerdiGiuseppe Verdi1813–1901 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.4
  26. 26Vittorio AlfieriVittorio Alfieri1749–1803 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures1.4
  27. 27PetrarchPetrarch1304–1374 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics1.2
  28. 28Philip NeriPhilip Neri1515–1595 · 16th century · Religious Figures1.2
  29. 29Francesco CrispiFrancesco Crispi1818–1901 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians1.2
  30. 30Giovanni PascoliGiovanni Pascoli1855–1912 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.2
  31. 31CimabueCimabue1240–1302 · 13th century · Artists1.2
  32. 32Paul the DeaconPaul the Deacon720–799 · 8th century · Writers1.2
  33. 33FarinelliFarinelli1705–1782 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians1.2
  34. 34Silvio PellicoSilvio Pellico1789–1854 · 19th century · Writers1.1
  35. 35Gabriele D'AnnunzioGabriele D'Annunzio1863–1938 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.1
  36. 36GuercinoGuercino1591–1666 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  37. 37Piero della FrancescaPiero della Francesca1415–1492 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  38. 38Giulio RomanoGiulio Romano1499–1546 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists1.1
  39. 39Carlo GoldoniCarlo Goldoni1707–1793 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.99
  40. 40Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.95
  41. 41Bernardino of SienaBernardino of Siena1380–1444 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.94
  42. 42Luigi EinaudiLuigi Einaudi1874–1961 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.93
  43. 43Pietro VerriPietro Verri1728–1797 · 18th century · Academics0.89
  44. 44Leon Battista AlbertiLeon Battista Alberti1404–1472 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects0.88
  45. 45Pietro AretinoPietro Aretino1492–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.88
  46. 46Vincenzo GiobertiVincenzo Gioberti1801–1852 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.87
  47. 47PisanelloPisanello1395–1455 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.86
  48. 48DomenichinoDomenichino1581–1641 · 17th century · Artists0.86
  49. 49Cesare BalboCesare Balbo1789–1853 · 19th century · Politicians0.84
  50. 50PontormoPontormo1494–1556 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.83
  51. 51Cesare BorgiaCesare Borgia1475–1507 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.83
  52. 52Niccolò MachiavelliNiccolò Machiavelli1469–1527 · 16th century · Politicians0.82
  53. 53Salvator RosaSalvator Rosa1615–1673 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.82
  54. 54Aldo MoroAldo Moro1916–1978 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.82
  55. 55Vittoria ColonnaVittoria Colonna1492–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.82
  56. 56Antonio RosminiAntonio Rosmini1797–1855 · 19th century · Academics0.81
  57. 57Paolo RossiPaolo Rossi1956–2020 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers0.80
  58. 58Filippo TuratiFilippo Turati1857–1932 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.80
  59. 59ParmigianinoParmigianino1503–1540 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.78
  60. 60Giovanni BoccaccioGiovanni Boccaccio1313–1375 · 14th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.77
  61. 61Cosimo de' MediciCosimo de' Medici1389–1464 · 15th century · Politicians0.76
  62. 62Francesca da RiminiFrancesca da Rimini1259–1285 · 13th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.76
  63. 63Massimo d'AzeglioMassimo d'Azeglio1798–1866 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.76
  64. 64Bettino RicasoliBettino Ricasoli1809–1880 · 19th century · Politicians0.74
  65. 65Guido CavalcantiGuido Cavalcanti1258–1300 · 13th century · Writers0.74
  66. 66Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.73
  67. 67CanalettoCanaletto1697–1768 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.73
  68. 68Guido ReniGuido Reni1575–1642 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.72
  69. 69Andrea DoriaAndrea Doria1466–1560 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.71
  70. 70Marsilio FicinoMarsilio Ficino1433–1499 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.70
  71. 71Niccolò TommaseoNiccolò Tommaseo1802–1874 · 19th century · Academics0.69
  72. 72Giorgio VasariGiorgio Vasari1511–1574 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.69
  73. 73Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci1891–1937 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.68
  74. 74Pietro BemboPietro Bembo1470–1547 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures0.68
  75. 75Pietro da CortonaPietro da Cortona1596–1669 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.68
  76. 76Luigi LuzzattiLuigi Luzzatti1841–1927 · 19th century · Politicians0.67
  77. 77Paolo SarpiPaolo Sarpi1552–1623 · 16th century · Academics0.67
  78. 78Paolo VeronesePaolo Veronese1528–1588 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.67
  79. 79Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini1430–1516 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.67
  80. 80Andrea del SartoAndrea del Sarto1486–1530 · 16th century · Artists0.66
  81. 81Giambattista VicoGiambattista Vico1668–1744 · 18th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.65
  82. 82Marco MinghettiMarco Minghetti1818–1886 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.64
  83. 83Margaret of SavoyMargaret of Savoy1851–1926 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.64
  84. 84Bettino CraxiBettino Craxi1934–2000 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.62
  85. 85Giovanni VergaGiovanni Verga1840–1922 · 19th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.61
  86. 86Francesco GuicciardiniFrancesco Guicciardini1483–1540 · 16th century · Writers0.61
  87. 87Paolo UccelloPaolo Uccello1397–1475 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.61
  88. 88Domenico PassignanoDomenico Passignano1559–1638 · 16th century · Artists0.61
  89. 89Antonio LabriolaAntonio Labriola1843–1904 · 19th century · Academics0.60
  90. 90PinturicchioPinturicchio1454–1513 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.60
  91. 91Leonardo BruniLeonardo Bruni1369–1444 · 15th century · Writers0.60
  92. 92Grazia DeleddaGrazia Deledda1871–1936 · 20th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.60
  93. 93Francesco GonzagaFrancesco Gonzaga1444–1483 · 15th century0.60
  94. 94Alessandro CagliostroAlessandro Cagliostro1743–1795 · 18th century · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors0.59
  95. 95Lucrezia BorgiaLucrezia Borgia1480–1519 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures0.59
  96. 96Isabella d'EsteIsabella d'Este1474–1539 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.58
  97. 97Isabella d'Este, Duchess of ParmaIsabella d'Este, Duchess of Parma1635–1666 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.58
  98. 98Filippo Maria ViscontiFilippo Maria Visconti1392–1447 · 15th century · Politicians0.58
  99. 99Girolamo SavonarolaGirolamo Savonarola1452–1498 · 15th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.57
  100. 100Tommaso CampanellaTommaso Campanella1568–1639 · 17th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics0.57

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.