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. 1Benito MussoliniBenito Mussolini1883–1945 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  2. 2Silvio BerlusconiSilvio Berlusconi1936–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  3. 3Pope John Paul IPope John Paul I1912–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2 decades
  4. 4Sophia LorenSophia Lorenborn 1934 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  5. 5Pope John XXIIIPope John XXIII1881–1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures14 decades
  6. 6Pope Paul VIPope Paul VI1897–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures6 decades
  7. 7Pope Pius XIIPope Pius XII1876–1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures8 decades
  8. 8Sergio MattarellaSergio Mattarellaborn 1941 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4 decades
  9. 9Federico FelliniFederico Fellini1920–1993 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  10. 10Monica BellucciMonica Bellucciborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors3 decades
  11. 11Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7 decades
  12. 12Antonio GramsciAntonio Gramsci1891–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics9 decades
  13. 13Luciano PavarottiLuciano Pavarotti1935–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians5 decades
  14. 14Enrico FermiEnrico Fermi1901–1954 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists10 decades
  15. 15Andrea BocelliAndrea Bocelliborn 1958 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians3 decades
  16. 16Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini1922–1975 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers8 decades
  17. 17Claudia CardinaleClaudia Cardinale1938–2025 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  18. 18Carlo AncelottiCarlo Ancelottiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  19. 19Marcello MastroianniMarcello Mastroianni1924–1996 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  20. 20Adriano CelentanoAdriano Celentanoborn 1938 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  21. 21Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone1928–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians6 decades
  22. 22Sergio LeoneSergio Leone1929–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  23. 23Bud SpencerBud Spencer1929–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  24. 24Enzo FerrariEnzo Ferrari1898–1988 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Athletes10 decades
  25. 25Ornella MutiOrnella Mutiborn 1955 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  26. 26Isabella RosselliniIsabella Rosselliniborn 1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Terence HillTerence Hillborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  28. 28Roberto ManciniRoberto Manciniborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  29. 29Franco BaresiFranco Baresi1960–2026 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  30. 30Victor Emmanuel III of ItalyVictor Emmanuel III of Italy1869–1947 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures8 decades
  31. 31Roberto BenigniRoberto Benigniborn 1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  32. 32Rudolph ValentinoRudolph Valentino1895–1926 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors10 decades
  33. 33Paolo RossiPaolo Rossi1956–2020 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers7 decades
  34. 34Aldo MoroAldo Moro1916–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  35. 35Maria MontessoriMaria Montessori1870–1952 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Doctors12 decades
  36. 36Gina LollobrigidaGina Lollobrigida1927–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  37. 37Reinhold MessnerReinhold Messnerborn 1944 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures5 decades
  38. 38Umberto II of ItalyUmberto II of Italy1904–1983 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Historical Figures7 decades
  39. 39Bernardo BertolucciBernardo Bertolucci1941–2018 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  40. 40Pierluigi CollinaPierluigi Collinaborn 1960 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1 decades
  41. 41Eros RamazzottiEros Ramazzottiborn 1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians4 decades
  42. 42Guglielmo MarconiGuglielmo Marconi1874–1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists13 decades
  43. 43Gianni VersaceGianni Versace1946–1997 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Designers4 decades
  44. 44Amedeo ModiglianiAmedeo Modigliani1884–1920 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists10 decades
  45. 45Vittorio De SicaVittorio De Sica1901–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  46. 46Giorgio ArmaniGiorgio Armani1934–2025 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Designers5 decades
  47. 47Sonia GandhiSonia Gandhiborn 1946 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians3 decades
  48. 48Claudio RanieriClaudio Ranieriborn 1951 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  49. 49Salvatore SchillaciSalvatore Schillaci1964–2024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers0 decades
  50. 50Dino ZoffDino Zoffborn 1942 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers4 decades
  51. 51Padre PioPadre Pio1887–1968 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Religious Figures7 decades
  52. 52Fabio CapelloFabio Capelloborn 1946 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  53. 53Michelangelo AntonioniMichelangelo Antonioni1912–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  54. 54Oriana FallaciOriana Fallaci1929–2006 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists6 decades
  55. 55Italo CalvinoItalo Calvino1923–1985 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Journalists8 decades
  56. 56Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti1906–1976 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors12 decades
  57. 57Mario DraghiMario Draghiborn 1947 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics3 decades
  58. 58Marcello LippiMarcello Lippiborn 1948 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  59. 59Giuseppe ConteGiuseppe Conteborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  60. 60Roberto RosselliniRoberto Rossellini1906–1977 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  61. 61Donatella VersaceDonatella Versaceborn 1955 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Designers3 decades
  62. 62Primo LeviPrimo Levi1919–1987 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Scientists11 decades
  63. 63Franco NeroFranco Neroborn 1941 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors5 decades
  64. 64Giulio AndreottiGiulio Andreotti1919–2013 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  65. 65Julius EvolaJulius Evola1898–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Academics7 decades
  66. 66Giuseppe MeazzaGiuseppe Meazza1910–1979 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  67. 67Lucky LucianoLucky Luciano1897–1962 · 🇮🇹 Italynot measured—
  68. 68Ferruccio LamborghiniFerruccio Lamborghini1916–1993 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Foundersnot measured—
  69. 69Rocco SiffrediRocco Siffrediborn 1964 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors3 decades
  70. 70Toto CutugnoToto Cutugno1943–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians4 decades
  71. 71Anna MagnaniAnna Magnani1908–1973 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors8 decades
  72. 72Vittorio GassmanVittorio Gassman1922–2000 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors8 decades
  73. 73Giorgio NapolitanoGiorgio Napolitano1925–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  74. 74Giorgio MoroderGiorgio Moroderborn 1940 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Giuseppe BergomiGiuseppe Bergomiborn 1963 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers2 decades
  76. 76EFElena Ferranteborn 1943 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3 decades
  77. 77Luciano SpallettiLuciano Spallettiborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  78. 78Gianluca VialliGianluca Vialli1964–2023 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers3 decades
  79. 79Giovanni TrapattoniGiovanni Trapattoniborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers4 decades
  80. 80Giancarlo GianniniGiancarlo Gianniniborn 1942 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  81. 81Gianni RiveraGianni Riveraborn 1943 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers5 decades
  82. 82Maurizio SarriMaurizio Sarriborn 1959 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers1 decades
  83. 83Monica VittiMonica Vitti1931–2022 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors6 decades
  84. 84Clara PetacciClara Petacci1912–1945 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians8 decades
  85. 85Pietro BadoglioPietro Badoglio1871–1956 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians11 decades
  86. 86Enrico CarusoEnrico Caruso1873–1921 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Musicians12 decades
  87. 87Virna LisiVirna Lisi1936–2014 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  88. 88Alberto MoraviaAlberto Moravia1907–1990 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers10 decades
  89. 89Gigi RivaGigi Riva1944–2024 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Footballers5 decades
  90. 90Frank CapraFrank Capra1897–1991 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  91. 91Luigi PirandelloLuigi Pirandello1867–1936 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers13 decades
  92. 92Romano ProdiRomano Prodiborn 1939 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  93. 93Alberto SordiAlberto Sordi1920–2003 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  94. 94Salvatore RiinaSalvatore Riina1930–2017 · 🇮🇹 Italynot measured—
  95. 95Cesare PaveseCesare Pavese1908–1950 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers9 decades
  96. 96Dario ArgentoDario Argentoborn 1940 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors5 decades
  97. 97Bettino CraxiBettino Craxi1934–2000 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians6 decades
  98. 98Silvana ManganoSilvana Mangano1930–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actors7 decades
  99. 99Danny HustonDanny Hustonborn 1962 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Actorsnot measured—
  100. 100Renzo PianoRenzo Pianoborn 1937 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Architects6 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.