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. 1James CameronJames Cameronborn 1954 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directors7 decades
  2. 2David CronenbergDavid Cronenbergborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directors4 decades
  3. 3Ivan ReitmanIvan Reitman1946–2022 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  4. 4Norman JewisonNorman Jewison1926–2024 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  5. 5Atom EgoyanAtom Egoyanborn 1960 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  6. 6Chris HadfieldChris Hadfieldborn 1959 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  7. 7David FurnishDavid Furnishborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  8. 8Jean-Marc ValléeJean-Marc Vallée1963–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  9. 9Mary HarronMary Harronborn 1953 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  10. 10Ted KotcheffTed Kotcheff1931–2025 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  11. 11Roger SpottiswoodeRoger Spottiswoodeborn 1945 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  12. 12Helen ShaverHelen Shaverborn 1951 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  13. 13Arthur HillerArthur Hiller1923–2016 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  14. 14Mark RobsonMark Robson1913–1978 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  15. 15Albert S. RuddyAlbert S. Ruddy1930–2024 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  16. 16Danny AntonucciDanny Antonucciborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  17. 17Denys ArcandDenys Arcandborn 1941 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  18. 18Brad WrightBrad Wrightborn 1961 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  19. 19Gordon PinsentGordon Pinsent1930–2023 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  20. 20Guy MaddinGuy Maddinborn 1956 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  21. 21Norman McLarenNorman McLaren1914–1987 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  22. 22Bruce LaBruceBruce LaBruceborn 1964 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  23. 23Sidney J. FurieSidney J. Furieborn 1933 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  24. 24Robert LepageRobert Lepageborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  25. 25Sydney NewmanSydney Newman1917–1997 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  26. 26Glenn McQueenGlenn McQueen1960–2002 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  27. 27Alanis ObomsawinAlanis Obomsawinborn 1932 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  28. 28CDChristian Duguayborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  29. 29Jan RubešJan Rubeš1920–2009 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  30. 30Bruce McDonaldBruce McDonaldborn 1959 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  31. 31Patricia RozemaPatricia Rozemaborn 1958 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  32. 32Scott ThompsonScott Thompsonborn 1959 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  33. 33Robert HerjavecRobert Herjavecborn 1963 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  34. 34François GirardFrançois Girardborn 1963 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  35. 35Frédéric BackFrédéric Back1924–2013 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  36. 36Michael SnowMichael Snow1928–2023 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  37. 37Claude JutraClaude Jutra1930–1986 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  38. 38Sidney OlcottSidney Olcott1872–1949 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  39. 39Gerald PottertonGerald Potterton1931–2022 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  40. 40Doug RogersDoug Rogers1941–2020 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  41. 41David SteinbergDavid Steinbergborn 1942 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  42. 42Jeremiah S. ChechikJeremiah S. Chechikborn 1955 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  43. 43Michel BraultMichel Brault1928–2013 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  44. 44Adam BrooksAdam Brooksborn 1956 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  45. 45William DearWilliam Dearborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  46. 46GDGeorge Dunning1920–1979 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  47. 47Zacharias KunukZacharias Kunukborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  48. 48Allan MoyleAllan Moyleborn 1947 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  49. 49J. Gordon EdwardsJ. Gordon Edwards1867–1925 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  50. 50Stuart GillardStuart Gillardborn 1950 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  51. 51Jon CassarJon Cassarborn 1958 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  52. 52J. Miles DaleJ. Miles Daleborn 1961 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  53. 53Yves SimoneauYves Simoneauborn 1955 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  54. 54DHDavid Hacklborn 1963 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  55. 55Daniel PetrieDaniel Petrieborn 1951 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  56. 56Jake EbertsJake Eberts1941–2012 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  57. 57Janet CardiffJanet Cardiffborn 1957 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  58. 58Roman KroitorRoman Kroitor1926–2012 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  59. 59Marie ChouinardMarie Chouinardborn 1955 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  60. 60Silvio NarizzanoSilvio Narizzano1927–2011 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  61. 61Robert CarsenRobert Carsenborn 1954 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  62. 62John GreysonJohn Greysonborn 1960 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  63. 63Tom McGillisTom McGillisborn 1901 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  64. 64Ryan LarkinRyan Larkin1943–2007 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  65. 65Jean-Claude LauzonJean-Claude Lauzon1953–1997 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  66. 66Jacques GodboutJacques Godboutborn 1933 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  67. 67Steven Hilliard SternSteven Hilliard Stern1937–2018 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  68. 68Gratien GélinasGratien Gélinas1909–1999 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  69. 69Paule BaillargeonPaule Baillargeonborn 1945 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  70. 70Wallace MacDonaldWallace MacDonald1891–1978 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  71. 71Paul AlmondPaul Almond1931–2015 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  72. 72Simcha JacoboviciSimcha Jacoboviciborn 1953 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  73. 73Robert LantosRobert Lantosborn 1949 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  74. 74Rodney GrahamRodney Graham1949–2022 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  75. 75Sturla GunnarssonSturla Gunnarssonborn 1951 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  76. 76JPJennifer Pertschborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  77. 77Stephen SurjikStephen Surjikborn 1960 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  78. 78Alan GibsonAlan Gibson1938–1987 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  79. 79Denis HérouxDenis Héroux1940–2015 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  80. 80Torill KoveTorill Koveborn 1958 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  81. 81Bob DolmanBob Dolmanborn 1949 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  82. 82Robert F. HillRobert F. Hill1886–1966 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  83. 83Martyn BurkeMartyn Burkeborn 1952 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  84. 84Pierre CossettePierre Cossette1923–2009 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  85. 85George MendelukGeorge Mendelukborn 1948 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  86. 86Harmon JonesHarmon Jones1911–1972 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  87. 87Del LordDel Lord1894–1970 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  88. 88Michelle LatimerMichelle Latimerborn 1901 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  89. 89Érik CanuelÉrik Canuel1961–2024 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  90. 90Joe De GrasseJoe De Grasse1873–1940 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  91. 91Rock DemersRock Demers1933–2021 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  92. 92Daniel MacIvorDaniel MacIvorborn 1962 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  93. 93William ReevesWilliam Reevesborn 1951 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  94. 94DIDan Ireland1958–2016 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  95. 95Henry MacRaeHenry MacRae1876–1944 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  96. 96Heather ReismanHeather Reismanborn 1948 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  97. 97John N. SmithJohn N. Smithborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  98. 98David WinningDavid Winningborn 1961 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  99. 99Paul SarossyPaul Sarossyborn 1963 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directorsnot measured—
  100. 100Manon BriandManon Briandborn 1964 · 🇨🇦 Canada · 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.