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. 1Angela MerkelAngela Merkelborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  2. 2Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels1897–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  3. 3Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer1876–1967 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  4. 4Ursula von der LeyenUrsula von der Leyenborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  5. 5Olaf ScholzOlaf Scholzborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  6. 6Heinrich HimmlerHeinrich Himmler1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  7. 7Hermann GöringHermann Göring1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  8. 8Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  9. 9Helmut KohlHelmut Kohl1930–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  10. 10Frank-Walter SteinmeierFrank-Walter Steinmeierborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  11. 11Gerhard SchröderGerhard Schröderborn 1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  12. 12Friedrich MerzFriedrich Merzborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  13. 13Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger1923–2023 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  14. 14Adolf EichmannAdolf Eichmann1906–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  15. 15Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  16. 16Karl DönitzKarl Dönitz1891–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  17. 17Reinhard HeydrichReinhard Heydrich1904–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  18. 18Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von Ribbentrop1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  19. 19Martin BormannMartin Bormann1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  20. 20Helmut SchmidtHelmut Schmidt1918–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  21. 21Franz von PapenFranz von Papen1879–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  22. 22Wilhelm KeitelWilhelm Keitel1882–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  23. 23Ernst RöhmErnst Röhm1887–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  24. 24Otto von HabsburgOtto von Habsburg1912–2011 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  25. 25Alfred JodlAlfred Jodl1890–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  26. 26Rudolf HössRudolf Höss1901–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  27. 27Julius StreicherJulius Streicher1885–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  28. 28Hans FrankHans Frank1900–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  29. 29Friedrich EbertFriedrich Ebert1871–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  30. 30Ernst ThälmannErnst Thälmann1886–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  31. 31Gustav StresemannGustav Stresemann1878–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  32. 32Kurt von SchleicherKurt von Schleicher1882–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  33. 33Magda GoebbelsMagda Goebbels1901–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  34. 34Hjalmar SchachtHjalmar Schacht1877–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  35. 35Robert LeyRobert Ley1890–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  36. 36Baldur von SchirachBaldur von Schirach1907–1974 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  37. 37Richard von WeizsäckerRichard von Weizsäcker1920–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  38. 38Ludwig ErhardLudwig Erhard1897–1977 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  39. 39Wilhelm FrickWilhelm Frick1877–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  40. 40Joachim GauckJoachim Gauckborn 1940 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  41. 41Egon KrenzEgon Krenzborn 1937 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  42. 42Wilhelm, German Crown PrinceWilhelm, German Crown Prince1882–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  43. 43Kurt Georg KiesingerKurt Georg Kiesinger1904–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  44. 44Heinrich MüllerHeinrich Müller1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  45. 45Oskar LafontaineOskar Lafontaineborn 1943 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  46. 46Anton DrexlerAnton Drexler1884–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  47. 47Roland FreislerRoland Freisler1893–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Lutz Graf Schwerin von KrosigkLutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk1887–1977 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  49. 49Oskar DirlewangerOskar Dirlewanger1895–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Sepp DietrichSepp Dietrich1892–1966 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Wilhelm PieckWilhelm Pieck1876–1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  52. 52Gregor GysiGregor Gysiborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Konstantin von NeurathKonstantin von Neurath1873–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  54. 54Franz Josef StraußFranz Josef Strauß1915–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Joschka FischerJoschka Fischerborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4 decades
  56. 56Christian WulffChristian Wulffborn 1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  57. 57Fritz SauckelFritz Sauckel1894–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Hermann FegeleinHermann Fegelein1906–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Gregor StrasserGregor Strasser1892–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  60. 60Horst WesselHorst Wessel1907–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  61. 61Werner von BlombergWerner von Blomberg1878–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  62. 62Karl Hermann FrankKarl Hermann Frank1898–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  63. 63Horst KöhlerHorst Köhler1943–2025 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  64. 64Armin LaschetArmin Laschetborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Alexander GaulandAlexander Gaulandborn 1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Guido WesterwelleGuido Westerwelle1961–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  67. 67Erich MielkeErich Mielke1907–2000 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Heinrich BrüningHeinrich Brüning1885–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  69. 69Pavlo SkoropadskyPavlo Skoropadsky1873–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1 decades
  70. 70Erhard MilchErhard Milch1892–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Walter ScheelWalter Scheel1919–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  72. 72Manfred RommelManfred Rommel1928–2013 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Prince Maximilian of BadenPrince Maximilian of Baden1867–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Karl WolffKarl Wolff1900–1984 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Martin SchulzMartin Schulzborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4 decades
  76. 76Hasso von ManteuffelHasso von Manteuffel1897–1978 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Hans-Dietrich GenscherHans-Dietrich Genscher1927–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  78. 78Boris PistoriusBoris Pistoriusborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Hermann MüllerHermann Müller1876–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians15 decades
  80. 80Petra KellyPetra Kelly1947–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  81. 81Otto StrasserOtto Strasser1897–1974 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Günter SchabowskiGünter Schabowski1929–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  83. 83Paul von Lettow-VorbeckPaul von Lettow-Vorbeck1870–1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Gudrun BurwitzGudrun Burwitz1929–2018 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  85. 85Gustav HeinemannGustav Heinemann1899–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  86. 86Johannes RauJohannes Rau1931–2006 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  87. 87Artur AxmannArtur Axmann1913–1996 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  88. 88Rudi DutschkeRudi Dutschke1940–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Kurt DaluegeKurt Daluege1897–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Alfred HugenbergAlfred Hugenberg1865–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Bodo RamelowBodo Ramelowborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Rupprecht, Crown Prince of BavariaRupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria1869–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Louis II, Prince of MonacoLouis II, Prince of Monaco1870–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Erich von dem Bach-ZelewskiErich von dem Bach-Zelewski1899–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Horst SeehoferHorst Seehoferborn 1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  96. 96Hans von SeecktHans von Seeckt1866–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  97. 97Matthias ErzbergerMatthias Erzberger1875–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  98. 98Sigmar GabrielSigmar Gabrielborn 1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  99. 99Winfried KretschmannWinfried Kretschmannborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  100. 100Roman HerzogRoman Herzog1934–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 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.