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. 1Ted BundyTed Bundy1946–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  2. 2Bhumibol AdulyadejBhumibol Adulyadej1927–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures5 decades
  3. 3Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur1880–1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures10 decades
  4. 4Jeffrey DahmerJeffrey Dahmer1960–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures3 decades
  5. 5Lee Harvey OswaldLee Harvey Oswald1939–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures6 decades
  6. 6Wallis SimpsonWallis Simpson1896–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures4 decades
  7. 7Chester W. NimitzChester W. Nimitz1885–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures8 decades
  8. 8Ed GeinEd Gein1906–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  9. 9Albert FishAlbert Fish1870–1936 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  10. 10Desmond DossDesmond Doss1919–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  11. 11Christopher McCandlessChristopher McCandless1968–1992 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  12. 12Peter II of YugoslaviaPeter II of Yugoslavia1923–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures0 decades
  13. 13Richard E. ByrdRichard E. Byrd1888–1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figures10 decades
  14. 14Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.1934–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  15. 15Yonatan NetanyahuYonatan Netanyahu1946–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  16. 16Leon CzolgoszLeon Czolgosz1873–1901 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  17. 17William Halsey Jr.William Halsey Jr.1882–1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  18. 18Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.1915–1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  19. 19Sylvia A. EarleSylvia A. Earleborn 1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  20. 20Steve FossettSteve Fossett1944–2007 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  21. 21Kathleen CavendishKathleen Cavendish1920–1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  22. 22Wiley PostWiley Post1898–1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  23. 23Ada BlackjackAda Blackjack1898–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  24. 24Frederick CookFrederick Cook1865–1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  25. 25Matthew HensonMatthew Henson1866–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  26. 26Lincoln EllsworthLincoln Ellsworth1880–1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  27. 27Roy Chapman AndrewsRoy Chapman Andrews1884–1960 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  28. 28Don WalshDon Walsh1931–2023 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  29. 29Scott FischerScott Fischer1955–1996 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  30. 30Conrad AnkerConrad Ankerborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  31. 31James Crawford AngelJames Crawford Angel1899–1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  32. 32Princess Anne of DenmarkPrincess Anne of Denmark1917–1980 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  33. 33Princess Anastasia of Greece and DenmarkPrincess Anastasia of Greece and Denmark1878–1923 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  34. 34Mary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of KedlestonMary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston1870–1906 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  35. 35Floyd BennettFloyd Bennett1890–1928 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  36. 36BWBradford Washburn1910–2007 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  37. 37IBIsaiah Bowman1878–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  38. 38Carl Ben EielsonCarl Ben Eielson1897–1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  39. 39Robert Sterling ClarkRobert Sterling Clark1877–1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  40. 40Harriet Chalmers AdamsHarriet Chalmers Adams1875–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  41. 41Langdon WarnerLangdon Warner1881–1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  42. 42Delia AkeleyDelia Akeley1869–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  43. 43Edward L. Beach, Jr.Edward L. Beach, Jr.1918–2002 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  44. 44William Lincoln BakewellWilliam Lincoln Bakewell1888–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  45. 45Eleanor Margaret GreenEleanor Margaret Green1895–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  46. 46Vanessa O'BrienVanessa O'Brienborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  47. 47Floyd CollinsFloyd Collins1887–1925 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  48. 48Victor Wolfgang von HagenVictor Wolfgang von Hagen1908–1985 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  49. 49Anthony FialaAnthony Fiala1869–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  50. 50BHBarbara Hillary1931–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  51. 51RLRobin Lee Grahamborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  52. 52Jackie RonneJackie Ronne1919–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  53. 53Rollo BeckRollo Beck1870–1950 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  54. 54Paul SiplePaul Siple1908–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  55. 55George J. DufekGeorge J. Dufek1903–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  56. 56Donald Baxter MacMillanDonald Baxter MacMillan1874–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  57. 57Johan ReinhardJohan Reinhardborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  58. 58Will StegerWill Stegerborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  59. 59Gene SavoyGene Savoy1927–2007 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  60. 60Mary Jobe AkeleyMary Jobe Akeley1878–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  61. 61John GoddardJohn Goddard1924–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  62. 62Arthur Donaldson SmithArthur Donaldson Smith1866–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  63. 63Anthony LlewellynAnthony Llewellyn1933–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  64. 64Charles R. BentleyCharles R. Bentley1929–2017 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  65. 65Alexander Hamilton RiceAlexander Hamilton Rice1875–1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  66. 66NDNorman D. Vaughan1905–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  67. 67Gerald KetchumGerald Ketchum1908–1992 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  68. 68Barry CliffordBarry Cliffordborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  69. 69John P. AllenJohn P. Allenborn 1929 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  70. 70ALAmelia Laskey1885–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  71. 71Carol BeckwithCarol Beckwithborn 1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  72. 72Hiram M. Hiller, Jr.Hiram M. Hiller, Jr.1867–1921 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  73. 73Joseph Otis FletcherJoseph Otis Fletcher1920–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  74. 74Harold JuneHarold June1895–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  75. 75EGEleanor Guggenheim Stuart1896–1992 · 🇺🇸 United States · Historical Figuresnot 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.