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. 1M. F. HusainM. F. Husain1915–2011 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  2. 2Abanindranath TagoreAbanindranath Tagore1871–1951 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  3. 3R. K. LaxmanR. K. Laxman1924–2015 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  4. 4Raghu RaiRaghu Rai1942–2026 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  5. 5Jamini RoyJamini Roy1887–1972 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  6. 6Lalita LajmiLalita Lajmi1932–2023 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  7. 7Nandalal BoseNandalal Bose1882–1966 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  8. 8Ram Vanji SutarRam Vanji Sutar1925–2025 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  9. 9Mario MirandaMario Miranda1926–2011 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  10. 10S. H. RazaS. H. Raza1922–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  11. 11Sarla ThakralSarla Thakral1914–2008 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  12. 12Satish GujralSatish Gujral1925–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  13. 13Nalini MalaniNalini Malaniborn 1946 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  14. 14Homai VyarawallaHomai Vyarawalla1913–2012 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  15. 15Subodh GuptaSubodh Guptaborn 1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  16. 16Nek Chand SainiNek Chand Saini1924–2015 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  17. 17PBPamella Bordesborn 1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  18. 18Tyeb MehtaTyeb Mehta1925–2009 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  19. 19Dayanita SinghDayanita Singhborn 1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  20. 20Sobha SinghSobha Singh1901–1986 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  21. 21Anjolie Ela MenonAnjolie Ela Menonborn 1940 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  22. 22Debi Prasad Roy ChoudhuryDebi Prasad Roy Choudhury1899–1975 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  23. 23Bhupen KhakharBhupen Khakhar1934–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  24. 24SCShridhar Chillalborn 1938 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  25. 25RKRam Kinker Baij1906–1980 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  26. 26Arpita SinghArpita Singhborn 1937 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  27. 27K. G. SubramanyanK. G. Subramanyan1924–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  28. 28Mrinalini MukherjeeMrinalini Mukherjee1949–2015 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  29. 29Benode Behari MukherjeeBenode Behari Mukherjee1904–1980 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  30. 30Nilima SheikhNilima Sheikhborn 1945 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  31. 31K. K. HebbarK. K. Hebbar1911–1996 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  32. 32Nasreen MohamediNasreen Mohamedi1937–1990 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  33. 33JDJatin Dasborn 1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  34. 34Vivan SundaramVivan Sundaram1943–2023 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  35. 35Ram KumarRam Kumar1924–2018 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  36. 36Raghunath MohapatraRaghunath Mohapatra1943–2021 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  37. 37Edmund Thomas ClintEdmund Thomas Clint1976–1983 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  38. 38Arpana CaurArpana Caurborn 1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  39. 39Francis Newton SouzaFrancis Newton Souza1924–2002 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  40. 40SGSheela Gowdaborn 1957 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  41. 41Rukmini VarmaRukmini Varmaborn 1940 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  42. 42Manjamma JogathiManjamma Jogathiborn 1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  43. 43LKLatika Katt1948–2025 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  44. 44A. RamachandranA. Ramachandran1935–2024 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  45. 45T. K. PadminiT. K. Padmini1940–1969 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  46. 46Chintamoni KarChintamoni Kar1915–2005 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  47. 47Vasudeo S. GaitondeVasudeo S. Gaitonde1924–2001 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  48. 48Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant PratinidhiBhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi1868–1951 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  49. 49Rathindranath TagoreRathindranath Tagore1888–1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Shanu LahiriShanu Lahiri1928–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  51. 51B. PrabhaB. Prabha1933–2001 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  52. 52Nemai GhoshNemai Ghosh1934–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  53. 53Atul DodiyaAtul Dodiyaborn 1959 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  54. 54Pushpamala N.Pushpamala N.born 1956 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  55. 55Mahasundari DeviMahasundari Devi1922–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  56. 56SRSukanya Rahmanborn 1946 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  57. 57Ganesh PyneGanesh Pyne1937–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  58. 58K. C. S. PanikerK. C. S. Paniker1911–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  59. 59Ramankutty NairRamankutty Nair1925–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  60. 60Prafulla DahanukarPrafulla Dahanukar1934–2014 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  61. 61Jodhaiya Bai BaigaJodhaiya Bai Baiga1930–2024 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  62. 62SDSita Devi1914–2005 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  63. 63Pablo BartholomewPablo Bartholomewborn 1955 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  64. 64Akbar PadamseeAkbar Padamsee1928–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  65. 65Li Gotami GovindaLi Gotami Govinda1906–1988 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  66. 66Madhvi ParekhMadhvi Parekhborn 1942 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  67. 67Jyotsna BhattJyotsna Bhatt1940–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  68. 68Aruna MohantyAruna Mohantyborn 1960 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  69. 69Sheba ChhachhiSheba Chhachhiborn 1958 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  70. 70ADAnita Dubeborn 1958 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  71. 71SHShamshad Hussain1946–2015 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  72. 72Asit Kumar HaldarAsit Kumar Haldar1890–1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  73. 73JBJayasri Burmanborn 1960 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  74. 74GSGogi Saroj Pal1945–2024 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  75. 75MBManjit Bawa1941–2008 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  76. 76Mattannoor SankarankuttyMattannoor Sankarankuttyborn 1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  77. 77Jivya Soma MasheJivya Soma Mashe1934–2018 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  78. 78Mukund NayakMukund Nayakborn 1949 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  79. 79SDShobha Deepak Singhborn 1943 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  80. 80SDSunil Das1939–2015 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  81. 81LGLaxma Goudborn 1940 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  82. 82Paris ViswanathanParis Viswanathanborn 1940 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  83. 83N.A.NazeerN.A.Nazeerborn 1962 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Ravishankar RavalRavishankar Raval1892–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  85. 85Swami SundaranandSwami Sundaranand1926–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  86. 86Jehangir SabavalaJehangir Sabavala1922–2011 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  87. 87Sukanya RamgopalSukanya Ramgopalborn 1957 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  88. 88Sudhir KhastgirSudhir Khastgir1907–1974 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  89. 89Pratiksha ApurvPratiksha Apurvborn 1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  90. 90Anju DodiyaAnju Dodiyaborn 1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  91. 91PSParitosh Sen1918–2008 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  92. 92Amritlal VegadAmritlal Vegad1928–2018 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  93. 93PBPercy Brown1872–1955 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  94. 94Pilloo PochkhanawalaPilloo Pochkhanawala1923–1986 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  95. 95SSShubbo Shankar1942–1992 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  96. 96Geetanjali LalGeetanjali Lalborn 1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  97. 97Asim BasuAsim Basu1935–2017 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98N. L. BalakrishnanN. L. Balakrishnan1943–2014 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  99. 99Sadanand BakreSadanand Bakre1920–2007 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot measured—
  100. 100Renuka KesaramaduRenuka Kesaramaduborn 1957 · 🇮🇳 India · Artistsnot 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.