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 Russian books during the 20th century — whenever they lived.

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy1828–1910 · 19th century · Writers2.6
  2. 2Patriarch Nikon of MoscowPatriarch Nikon of Moscow1605–1681 · 17th century · Religious Figures2.2
  3. 3Peter the GreatPeter the Great1672–1725 · 18th century · Politicians1.8
  4. 4Nicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of RussiaNicholas Alexandrovich, Tsesarevich of Russia1843–1865 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.5
  5. 5Macarius, Metropolitan of MoscowMacarius, Metropolitan of Moscow1482–1563 · 16th century · Writers1.5
  6. 6Boris GodunovBoris Godunov1552–1605 · 16th century · Politicians1.4
  7. 7Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin1870–1924 · 20th century · Politicians1.4
  8. 8Nicholas I of RussiaNicholas I of Russia1796–1855 · 19th century · Models1.3
  9. 9Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia1859–1919 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.2
  10. 10Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible1530–1584 · 16th century · Politicians1.1
  11. 11Alexander I of RussiaAlexander I of Russia1777–1825 · 19th century · Historical Figures1.1
  12. 12Alexander II of RussiaAlexander II of Russia1818–1881 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.99
  13. 13Nicholas II of RussiaNicholas II of Russia1868–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.99
  14. 14Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.98
  15. 15Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia1904–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.97
  16. 16Ivan I of TverIvan I of Tver1357–1425 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.92
  17. 17Alexis of RussiaAlexis of Russia1629–1676 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.86
  18. 18Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia1832–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.86
  19. 19Alexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of RussiaAlexei Petrovich, Tsarevich of Russia1690–1718 · 18th century · Politicians0.78
  20. 20Andrei BelyAndrei Bely1880–1934 · 20th century · Writers0.74
  21. 21Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich of Russia1847–1909 · 19th century · Politicians0.72
  22. 22Sergo OrdzhonikidzeSergo Ordzhonikidze1886–1937 · 20th century · Politicians0.72
  23. 23Ivan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of SmolenskIvan I Aleksandrovich, Prince of Smolenskdied 1359 · 14th century0.72
  24. 24Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia1899–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.70
  25. 25Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia1827–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.65
  26. 26Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of RussiaGrand Duke Peter Nikolaevich of Russia1864–1931 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.64
  27. 27Alexander III of RussiaAlexander III of Russia1845–1894 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.63
  28. 28Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich of Russia1857–1905 · 19th century · Politicians0.63
  29. 29Alexander BlokAlexander Blok1880–1921 · 20th century · Writers0.62
  30. 30Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia1850–1908 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.59
  31. 31Alexandra VelyaminovaAlexandra Velyaminova1301–1364 · 14th century0.52
  32. 32Maria FeodorovnaMaria Feodorovna1847–1928 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.51
  33. 33Michael of RussiaMichael of Russia1596–1645 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.51
  34. 34Elizabeth of RussiaElizabeth of Russia1709–1761 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.48
  35. 35Vladimir MayakovskyVladimir Mayakovsky1893–1930 · 20th century · Writers0.47
  36. 36Aleksey TolstoyAleksey Tolstoy1882–1945 · 20th century · Writers0.45
  37. 37Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia1860–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.45
  38. 38Aleksey Konstantinovich TolstoyAleksey Konstantinovich Tolstoy1817–1875 · 19th century · Writers0.43
  39. 39Maximus the GreekMaximus the Greek1475–1556 · 16th century · Writers0.43
  40. 40Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.43
  41. 41Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.43
  42. 42Leonid AndreyevLeonid Andreyev1871–1919 · 20th century · Writers0.43
  43. 43Alexander PushkinAlexander Pushkin1799–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.41
  44. 44Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin1931–2007 · 20th century · Politicians0.41
  45. 45Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia1779–1831 · 19th century · Politicians0.40
  46. 46Valery BryusovValery Bryusov1873–1924 · 20th century · Writers0.38
  47. 47Paul I of RussiaPaul I of Russia1754–1801 · 18th century · Historical Figures0.37
  48. 48Gleb UspenskyGleb Uspensky1843–1902 · 19th century · Writers0.37
  49. 49Boris of TverBoris of Tver1400–1461 · 15th century0.37
  50. 50Patriarch JoachimPatriarch Joachim1621–1690 · 17th century0.36
  51. 51Ivan FyodorovIvan Fyodorov1510–1583 · 16th century0.36
  52. 52Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · 20th century · Writers0.36
  53. 53Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of RussiaGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich of Russia1858–1915 · 19th century · Writers0.35
  54. 54Avraamy PalitsynAvraamy Palitsyn1550–1626 · 16th century · Writers0.34
  55. 55Vasili IV of RussiaVasili IV of Russia1552–1612 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.31
  56. 56Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin1878–1953 · 20th century · Politicians0.30
  57. 57Leonid BrezhnevLeonid Brezhnev1906–1982 · 20th century · Politicians0.29
  58. 58Anna of RussiaAnna of Russia1693–1740 · 18th century · Politicians0.29
  59. 59Anton ChekhovAnton Chekhov1860–1904 · 19th century · Writers0.28
  60. 60Stepan RazinStepan Razin1630–1671 · 17th century0.27
  61. 61Peter III of RussiaPeter III of Russia1728–1762 · 18th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.27
  62. 62Yuri GagarinYuri Gagarin1934–1968 · 20th century · Politicians0.26
  63. 63Anna AkhmatovaAnna Akhmatova1889–1966 · 20th century · Writers0.25
  64. 64Vladimir SolovyovVladimir Solovyov1853–1900 · 19th century · Academics0.24
  65. 65Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna of Russia1897–1918 · 20th century · Historical Figures0.24
  66. 66Taras ShevchenkoTaras Shevchenko1814–1861 · 19th century · Writers0.24
  67. 67Catherine Pavlovna of RussiaCatherine Pavlovna of Russia1788–1819 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.24
  68. 68Georgi DimitrovGeorgi Dimitrov1882–1949 · 20th century · Politicians0.24
  69. 69Denis DavydovDenis Davydov1784–1839 · 19th century · Writers0.24
  70. 70Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna of Russia1825–1844 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.23
  71. 71Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of RussiaGrand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna of Russia1783–1801 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.22
  72. 72Nikita KhrushchevNikita Khrushchev1894–1971 · 20th century · Politicians0.22
  73. 73Symeon of PolotskSymeon of Polotsk1629–1680 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  74. 74HyacinthHyacinth1777–1853 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.21
  75. 75Marina TsvetaevaMarina Tsvetaeva1892–1941 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  76. 76Ilya EhrenburgIlya Ehrenburg1891–1967 · 20th century · Writers0.21
  77. 77Mikhail KalininMikhail Kalinin1875–1946 · 20th century · Politicians0.20
  78. 78Yemelyan PugachevYemelyan Pugachev1742–1775 · 18th century · Activists0.19
  79. 79Mikhail SholokhovMikhail Sholokhov1905–1984 · 20th century · Writers0.19
  80. 80Béla KunBéla Kun1886–1938 · 20th century · Activists0.19
  81. 81Mikhail LomonosovMikhail Lomonosov1711–1765 · 18th century · Scientists0.19
  82. 82Nikolai OstrovskyNikolai Ostrovsky1904–1936 · 20th century · Writers0.18
  83. 83Fyodor VolkovFyodor Volkov1729–1763 · 18th century · Actors0.17
  84. 84Grand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Natalya Alexeyevna of Russia1714–1728 · 18th century0.17
  85. 85Natalya Alexeevna of RussiaNatalya Alexeevna of Russia1673–1716 · 18th century · Writers0.17
  86. 86Dmitri MendeleevDmitri Mendeleev1834–1907 · 19th century · Scientists0.17
  87. 87Konstantin SimonovKonstantin Simonov1915–1979 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  88. 88Yanka KupalaYanka Kupala1882–1942 · 20th century · Writers0.17
  89. 89Konstantin of UglichKonstantin of Uglich1389–1434 · 15th century0.16
  90. 90Grand Duke George Alexandrovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Alexandrovich of Russia1871–1899 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.16
  91. 91Ivan PavlovIvan Pavlov1849–1936 · 19th century · Scientists0.16
  92. 92Vasili III of RussiaVasili III of Russia1479–1533 · 16th century · Politicians0.16
  93. 93Sholem AleichemSholem Aleichem1859–1916 · 19th century · Writers0.15
  94. 94Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov1730–1800 · 18th century0.15
  95. 95Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of RussiaGrand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia1863–1919 · 19th century · Politicians0.14
  96. 96Fyodor DostoevskyFyodor Dostoevsky1821–1881 · 19th century · Writers0.14
  97. 97Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev1931–2022 · 20th century · Politicians0.14
  98. 98Alexander BestuzhevAlexander Bestuzhev1797–1837 · 19th century · Writers0.14
  99. 99Alexander IvanovAlexander Ivanov1806–1858 · 19th century · Artists0.14
  100. 100Nadezhda KrupskayaNadezhda Krupskaya1869–1939 · 20th century · Politicians0.14

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. 1RajneeshRajneesh1931–1990 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers3 decades
  2. 2Arundhati RoyArundhati Royborn 1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers3 decades
  3. 3Jaggi VasudevJaggi Vasudevborn 1957 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  4. 4A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaA. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada1896–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  5. 5Sarojini NaiduSarojini Naidu1879–1949 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers11 decades
  6. 6Deepak ChopraDeepak Chopraborn 1946 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  7. 7Nana PatekarNana Patekarborn 1951 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  8. 8PremchandPremchand1880–1936 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers11 decades
  9. 9Amrita PritamAmrita Pritam1919–2005 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers3 decades
  10. 10GulzarGulzarborn 1933 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  11. 11R. K. NarayanR. K. Narayan1906–2001 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers7 decades
  12. 12Shakuntala DeviShakuntala Devi1929–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  13. 13C. N. AnnaduraiC. N. Annadurai1909–1969 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  14. 14Javed AkhtarJaved Akhtarborn 1945 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  15. 15Sudha MurthySudha Murthyborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  16. 16Amitav GhoshAmitav Ghoshborn 1956 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  17. 17Ruskin BondRuskin Bondborn 1934 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  18. 18Harivansh Rai BachchanHarivansh Rai Bachchan1907–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  19. 19Kazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam1899–1976 · 🇮🇳 India · Writers0 decades
  20. 20Girish KarnadGirish Karnad1938–2019 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  21. 21Vikram SethVikram Sethborn 1952 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  22. 22Khushwant SinghKhushwant Singh1915–2014 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  23. 23B. K. S. IyengarB. K. S. Iyengar1918–2014 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  24. 24Saroj KhanSaroj Khan1948–2020 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  25. 25ADAnita Desaiborn 1937 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  26. 26Ahmed DeedatAhmed Deedat1918–2005 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  27. 27Subramanya BharathiSubramanya Bharathi1882–1921 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  28. 28Honey IraniHoney Iraniborn 1955 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  29. 29Mehmood AliMehmood Ali1932–2004 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  30. 30Saadat Hasan MantoSaadat Hasan Manto1912–1955 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  31. 31KSKamala Surayya1934–2009 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  32. 32Sarat Chandra ChattopadhyaySarat Chandra Chattopadhyay1876–1938 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  33. 33Romila ThaparRomila Thaparborn 1931 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  34. 34S. N. GoenkaS. N. Goenka1924–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  35. 35Mulk Raj AnandMulk Raj Anand1905–2004 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  36. 36Mahasweta DeviMahasweta Devi1926–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  37. 37ADAnthony de Mello1931–1987 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Abdul Sattar EdhiAbdul Sattar Edhi1928–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Inayat KhanInayat Khan1882–1927 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  40. 40Kuvempu,full Name in kannada ಕುವೆಂಪು(ಕುಪ್ಪಳ್ಳಿ ವೆಂಕಟಪ್ಪ ಪುಟ್ಟಪ್ಪ),Kuvempu,full Name in kannada ಕುವೆಂಪು(ಕುಪ್ಪಳ್ಳಿ ವೆಂಕಟಪ್ಪ ಪುಟ್ಟಪ್ಪ),1904–1994 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  41. 41Nambi NarayananNambi Narayananborn 1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  42. 42Salim KhanSalim Khanborn 1935 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  43. 43Mrinalini SarabhaiMrinalini Sarabhai1918–2016 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  44. 44Mahadevi VarmaMahadevi Varma1907–1987 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  45. 45Nayantara SahgalNayantara Sahgalborn 1927 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  46. 46Ramachandra GuhaRamachandra Guhaborn 1958 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  47. 47Rahul SankrityayanRahul Sankrityayan1893–1963 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  48. 48Ismat ChughtaiIsmat Chughtai1911–1991 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  49. 49Ramdhari Singh DinkarRamdhari Singh Dinkar1908–1974 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  50. 50Bibhutibhushan BandyopadhyayBibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay1894–1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  51. 51Pingali VenkayyaPingali Venkayya1876–1963 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  52. 52M. S. GolwalkarM. S. Golwalkar1906–1973 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Vaikom Muhammad BasheerVaikom Muhammad Basheer1908–1994 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  54. 54Sahir LudhianviSahir Ludhianvi1921–1980 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55SheelaSheelaborn 1942 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  56. 56Anand BakshiAnand Bakshi1930–2002 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  57. 57Rajmohan GandhiRajmohan Gandhiborn 1935 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  58. 58Nadira BabbarNadira Babbarborn 1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  59. 59Krishna HutheesingKrishna Hutheesing1907–1967 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Ibn WarraqIbn Warraqborn 1946 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Rajiv MalhotraRajiv Malhotraborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  62. 62Bashir BadrBashir Badr1935–2026 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  63. 63Kaifi AzmiKaifi Azmi1919–2002 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Jayachamarajendra WadiyarJayachamarajendra Wadiyar1919–1974 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Banu MushtaqBanu Mushtaqborn 1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Gita MehtaGita Mehta1942–2023 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  67. 67Raja RaoRaja Rao1908–2006 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Swami RamaSwami Rama1925–1996 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  69. 69AsaramAsaramborn 1941 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  70. 70Arjan SinghArjan Singh1919–2017 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Majrooh SultanpuriMajrooh Sultanpuri1919–2000 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Firaq GorakhpuriFiraq Gorakhpuri1896–1982 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Narendra DabholkarNarendra Dabholkar1945–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Salil ChowdhurySalil Chowdhury1925–1995 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Raghunath MurmuRaghunath Murmu1905–1982 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  76. 76Sushmita BanerjeeSushmita Banerjee1964–2013 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  77. 77Irfan HabibIrfan Habibborn 1931 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Dharamvir BharatiDharamvir Bharati1926–1997 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Nabaneeta Dev SenNabaneeta Dev Sen1938–2019 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  80. 80Mirza Tahir AhmadMirza Tahir Ahmad1928–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Subhadra Kumari ChauhanSubhadra Kumari Chauhan1904–1948 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Nirupama RaoNirupama Raoborn 1950 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Benegal Narsing RauBenegal Narsing Rau1887–1953 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Siddhartha Shankar RaySiddhartha Shankar Ray1920–2010 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Amole GupteAmole Gupteborn 1962 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Ramesh Chandra MajumdarRamesh Chandra Majumdar1888–1980 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87S. L. BhyrappaS. L. Bhyrappa1931–2025 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Sumitranandan PantSumitranandan Pant1900–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Cornelia DorabujiCornelia Dorabuji1866–1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Pratibha RayPratibha Rayborn 1943 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91K. Shivaram KaranthK. Shivaram Karanth1902–1997 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Jibanananda DasJibanananda Das1899–1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Maithili Sharan GuptMaithili Sharan Gupt1886–1964 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Jadunath SarkarJadunath Sarkar1870–1958 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Sita Ram GoelSita Ram Goel1921–2003 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Ashapoorna DeviAshapoorna Devi1909–1995 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala'1896–1961 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98Hasrat MohaniHasrat Mohani1875–1951 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  99. 99Kalki KrishnamurthyKalki Krishnamurthy1899–1954 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'1921–1977 · 🇮🇳 India · Writersnot 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.