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. 1Marlene DietrichMarlene Dietrich1901–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors9 decades
  2. 2Christoph WaltzChristoph Waltzborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors1 decades
  3. 3Nastassja KinskiNastassja Kinskiborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors3 decades
  4. 4Klaus KinskiKlaus Kinski1926–1991 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors5 decades
  5. 5Til SchweigerTil Schweigerborn 1963 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors3 decades
  6. 6Udo KierUdo Kier1944–2025 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  7. 7Thomas KretschmannThomas Kretschmannborn 1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  8. 8Irma GreseIrma Grese1923–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  9. 9Armin Mueller-StahlArmin Mueller-Stahlborn 1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  10. 10Curd JürgensCurd Jürgens1915–1982 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  11. 11AMArmin Meiwesborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  12. 12Gert FröbeGert Fröbe1913–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  13. 13Marianne BachmeierMarianne Bachmeier1950–1996 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  14. 14Mario AdorfMario Adorf1930–2026 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  15. 15Emmy GöringEmmy Göring1893–1973 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  16. 16Otto SanderOtto Sander1941–2013 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors5 decades
  17. 17Hanna SchygullaHanna Schygullaborn 1943 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors5 decades
  18. 18Horst BuchholzHorst Buchholz1933–2003 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  19. 19Elke SommerElke Sommerborn 1940 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  20. 20Lilli PalmerLilli Palmer1914–1986 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  21. 21Hardy KrügerHardy Krüger1928–2022 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  22. 22Marianne KochMarianne Kochborn 1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  23. 23Hildegard KnefHildegard Knef1925–2002 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  24. 24Ulrich MüheUlrich Mühe1953–2007 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  25. 25Sebastian KochSebastian Kochborn 1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  26. 26Emil JanningsEmil Jannings1884–1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors10 decades
  27. 27Ruth WestheimerRuth Westheimer1928–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  28. 28Marinus van der LubbeMarinus van der Lubbe1909–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  29. 29Heinz RühmannHeinz Rühmann1902–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  30. 30Luise RainerLuise Rainer1910–2014 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actors3 decades
  31. 31Katja RiemannKatja Riemannborn 1963 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  32. 32Götz GeorgeGötz George1938–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  33. 33Corinna HarfouchCorinna Harfouchborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  34. 34Max SchreckMax Schreck1879–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  35. 35Martina GedeckMartina Gedeckborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  36. 36Karin DorKarin Dor1938–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  37. 37Gustaf GründgensGustaf Gründgens1899–1963 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  38. 38Barbara SukowaBarbara Sukowaborn 1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  39. 39Susanne LotharSusanne Lothar1960–2012 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  40. 40Christine KaufmannChristine Kaufmann1945–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  41. 41Magda SchneiderMagda Schneider1909–1996 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  42. 42Ralf MoellerRalf Moellerborn 1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  43. 43Thomas GottschalkThomas Gottschalkborn 1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  44. 44Walter RöhrlWalter Röhrlborn 1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  45. 45Horst TappertHorst Tappert1923–2008 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  46. 46Fritz WepperFritz Wepper1941–2024 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  47. 47Hans AlbersHans Albers1891–1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  48. 48Andrzej SewerynAndrzej Sewerynborn 1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  49. 49Günther JauchGünther Jauchborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  50. 50Karin SchubertKarin Schubertborn 1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  51. 51Iris BerbenIris Berbenborn 1950 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  52. 52Christian BerkelChristian Berkelborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  53. 53Cornelia FroboessCornelia Froboessborn 1943 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  54. 54Brigitte HelmBrigitte Helm1908–1996 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  55. 55Heino FerchHeino Ferchborn 1963 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  56. 56Walter GotellWalter Gotell1924–1997 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  57. 57Ursula KarvenUrsula Karvenborn 1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  58. 58Hannelore ElsnerHannelore Elsner1942–2019 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  59. 59Gottfried JohnGottfried John1942–2014 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  60. 60Werner KlempererWerner Klemperer1920–2000 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  61. 61Katrin SassKatrin Sassborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  62. 62Andrea SawatzkiAndrea Sawatzkiborn 1963 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  63. 63Michael GwisdekMichael Gwisdek1942–2020 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  64. 64Dirk BachDirk Bach1961–2012 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  65. 65Fritz BauerFritz Bauer1903–1968 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  66. 66Helge SchneiderHelge Schneiderborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  67. 67Hannelore KohlHannelore Kohl1933–2001 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  68. 68Martin WuttkeMartin Wuttkeborn 1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  69. 69Heinrich GeorgeHeinrich George1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  70. 70Marianne SägebrechtMarianne Sägebrechtborn 1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  71. 71Ulrich TukurUlrich Tukurborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  72. 72Heiner LauterbachHeiner Lauterbachborn 1953 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  73. 73Angelica DomröseAngelica Domröse1941–2026 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  74. 74Sylvester GrothSylvester Grothborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  75. 75Dieter HallervordenDieter Hallervordenborn 1935 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  76. 76Monika ErtlMonika Ertl1937–1973 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  77. 77Siegfried RauchSiegfried Rauch1932–2018 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  78. 78Anita BerberAnita Berber1899–1928 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  79. 79Olga ChekhovaOlga Chekhova1897–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  80. 80Matthias HabichMatthias Habichborn 1940 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  81. 81Uschi GlasUschi Glasborn 1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  82. 82Theo LingenTheo Lingen1903–1978 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  83. 83Richard SammelRichard Sammelborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  84. 84Ulrich MatthesUlrich Matthesborn 1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  85. 85Katharina ThalbachKatharina Thalbachborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  86. 86Ernst ZündelErnst Zündel1939–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  87. 87Harald SchmidtHarald Schmidtborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  88. 88Steve HolmesSteve Holmesborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  89. 89Manfred KrugManfred Krug1937–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  90. 90Joachim KrólJoachim Królborn 1957 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  91. 91Walter SedlmayrWalter Sedlmayr1926–1990 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  92. 92Tilo PrücknerTilo Prückner1940–2020 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  93. 93Uwe OchsenknechtUwe Ochsenknechtborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  94. 94Matthias BrandtMatthias Brandtborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  95. 95Werner KraussWerner Krauss1884–1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  96. 96Rolf HoppeRolf Hoppe1930–2018 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  97. 97Petra SchürmannPetra Schürmann1933–2010 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  98. 98Peter van EyckPeter van Eyck1911–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  99. 99Dieter LaserDieter Laser1942–2020 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot measured—
  100. 100Lil DagoverLil Dagover1887–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Actorsnot 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.