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'Este, Duchess of ParmaIsabella d'Este, Duchess of Parma1635–1666 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.58
  97. 97Isabella d'EsteIsabella d'Este1474–1539 · 16th century · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists0.58
  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. 1Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  2. 2Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  3. 3Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  4. 4Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  5. 5Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  6. 6ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  7. 7Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  8. 8Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  9. 9Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  10. 10Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  11. 11André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  12. 12Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  13. 13Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  14. 14Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  15. 15Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  17. 17Georges BatailleGeorges Bataille1897–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  18. 18André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  19. 19Marguerite YourcenarMarguerite Yourcenar1903–1987 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  20. 20André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  21. 21Jean GenetJean Genet1910–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  22. 22Guillaume ApollinaireGuillaume Apollinaire1880–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  23. 23Françoise SaganFrançoise Sagan1935–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  24. 24Boris VianBoris Vian1920–1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  25. 25Paul ÉluardPaul Éluard1895–1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  26. 26Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  27. 27Antonin ArtaudAntonin Artaud1896–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  28. 28Gisèle PelicotGisèle Pelicotborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  29. 29René GirardRené Girard1923–2015 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  30. 30René GuénonRené Guénon1886–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  31. 31Paul CelanPaul Celan1920–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  32. 32Louis AragonLouis Aragon1897–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  33. 33Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  34. 34Alexander AlekhineAlexander Alekhine1892–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  35. 35Henri CharrièreHenri Charrière1906–1973 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  36. 36Jean GiraudJean Giraud1938–2012 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  37. 37Fred VargasFred Vargasborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Ève CurieÈve Curie1904–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Guy DebordGuy Debord1931–1994 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  40. 40François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  41. 41Gaston LerouxGaston Leroux1868–1927 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  42. 42Georges PerecGeorges Perec1936–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  43. 43Patrick ModianoPatrick Modianoborn 1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  44. 44Éric-Emmanuel SchmittÉric-Emmanuel Schmittborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  45. 45Aimé CésaireAimé Césaire1913–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  46. 46Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  47. 47Edmond RostandEdmond Rostand1868–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  48. 48Jacques PrévertJacques Prévert1900–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  49. 49Fernand BraudelFernand Braudel1902–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  50. 50Sacha GuitrySacha Guitry1885–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  51. 51Pierre LemaitrePierre Lemaitreborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  52. 52Emmanuel CarrèreEmmanuel Carrèreborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Bernard WerberBernard Werberborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  54. 54Pierre NoraPierre Nora1931–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55Jean GionoJean Giono1895–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  56. 56J. M. G. Le ClézioJ. M. G. Le Clézioborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  57. 57Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  58. 58Georges BernanosGeorges Bernanos1888–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  59. 59Savitri DeviSavitri Devi1905–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Claude BerriClaude Berri1934–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Maurice DruonMaurice Druon1918–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  62. 62Alain BadiouAlain Badiouborn 1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  63. 63Gaston BachelardGaston Bachelard1884–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  64. 64Yasmina RezaYasmina Rezaborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Hélène Carrère d'EncausseHélène Carrère d'Encausse1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Jacques VergèsJacques Vergès1925–2013 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  67. 67Renaud CamusRenaud Camusborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Jean AnouilhJean Anouilh1910–1987 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  69. 69Raymond QueneauRaymond Queneau1903–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  70. 70Jean RaspailJean Raspail1925–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Elsa TrioletElsa Triolet1896–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Gabriel MatzneffGabriel Matzneffborn 1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Maurice BéjartMaurice Béjart1927–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  74. 74Boualem SansalBoualem Sansalborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Alfred JarryAlfred Jarry1873–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  76. 76André MauroisAndré Maurois1885–1967 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  77. 77Jean d'OrmessonJean d'Ormesson1925–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Pierre BoullePierre Boulle1912–1994 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  79. 79Alain Robbe-GrilletAlain Robbe-Grillet1922–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  80. 80Paul MorandPaul Morand1888–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Danielle MitterrandDanielle Mitterrand1924–2011 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Daniel PennacDaniel Pennacborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Princess Marie BonapartePrincess Marie Bonaparte1882–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Irène NémirovskyIrène Némirovsky1903–1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Brigitte FontaineBrigitte Fontaineborn 1939 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Robert BrasillachRobert Brasillach1909–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87FBFrançoise Bettencourt Meyersborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Marc LevyMarc Levyborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Pascal BrucknerPascal Brucknerborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Jean-Christophe RufinJean-Christophe Rufinborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Henri TroyatHenri Troyat1911–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  92. 92Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  93. 93Monique WittigMonique Wittig1935–2003 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Robert MerleRobert Merle1908–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Pierre Drieu La RochellePierre Drieu La Rochelle1893–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Maryse CondéMaryse Condé1934–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Henry de MontherlantHenry de Montherlant1895–1972 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  98. 98Henri BarbusseHenri Barbusse1873–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  99. 99Philippe PetitPhilippe Petitborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Raymond RadiguetRaymond Radiguet1903–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot 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.