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. 40Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaOlga Nikolaevna of Russia1822–1892 · 19th century · Historical Figures0.43
  41. 41Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of RussiaGrand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia1895–1918 · 20th 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. 1Audrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn1929–1993 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  2. 2Sean ConnerySean Connery1930–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  3. 3Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor1932–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  4. 4Rowan AtkinsonRowan Atkinsonborn 1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  5. 5Liam NeesonLiam Neesonborn 1952 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  6. 6Michael CaineMichael Caineborn 1933 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  7. 7Christopher LeeChristopher Lee1922–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  8. 8Helen MirrenHelen Mirrenborn 1945 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  9. 9Gary OldmanGary Oldmanborn 1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  10. 10Charlotte RamplingCharlotte Ramplingborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  11. 11Daniel Day-LewisDaniel Day-Lewisborn 1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  12. 12Maggie SmithMaggie Smith1934–2024 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  13. 13Roger MooreRoger Moore1927–2017 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  14. 14Alan RickmanAlan Rickman1946–2016 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  15. 15Julie AndrewsJulie Andrewsborn 1935 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  16. 16Judi DenchJudi Denchborn 1934 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  17. 17Emma ThompsonEmma Thompsonborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  18. 18Ian McKellenIan McKellenborn 1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  19. 19Vivien LeighVivien Leigh1913–1967 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  20. 20Ralph FiennesRalph Fiennesborn 1962 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  21. 21Hugh GrantHugh Grantborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  22. 22Ben KingsleyBen Kingsleyborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  23. 23Peter O'ToolePeter O'Toole1932–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  24. 24David AttenboroughDavid Attenboroughborn 1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  25. 25Colin FirthColin Firthborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  26. 26Jeremy IronsJeremy Ironsborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  27. 27Richard BurtonRichard Burton1925–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors10 decades
  28. 28Laurence OlivierLaurence Olivier1907–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  29. 29Hugh LaurieHugh Laurieborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  30. 30Peter UstinovPeter Ustinov1921–2004 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  31. 31Alec GuinnessAlec Guinness1914–2000 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  32. 32Ian McShaneIan McShaneborn 1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  33. 33Andy SerkisAndy Serkisborn 1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  34. 34Patrick StewartPatrick Stewartborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  35. 35Malcolm McDowellMalcolm McDowellborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  36. 36Tilda SwintonTilda Swintonborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  37. 37Timothy DaltonTimothy Daltonborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  38. 38Richard AttenboroughRichard Attenborough1923–2014 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  39. 39Angela LansburyAngela Lansbury1925–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  40. 40Kenneth BranaghKenneth Branaghborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  41. 41Sean BeanSean Beanborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  42. 42Tim CurryTim Curry1946–2026 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  43. 43Vanessa RedgraveVanessa Redgraveborn 1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  44. 44Julie ChristieJulie Christieborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  45. 45Bob HoskinsBob Hoskins1942–2014 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  46. 46Hugo WeavingHugo Weavingborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  47. 47Michael GambonMichael Gambon1940–2023 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  48. 48Jane BirkinJane Birkin1946–2023 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  49. 49Jeremy ClarksonJeremy Clarksonborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  50. 50Diana RiggDiana Rigg1938–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  51. 51John HurtJohn Hurt1940–2017 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  52. 52Jacqueline BissetJacqueline Bissetborn 1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  53. 53David NivenDavid Niven1910–1983 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  54. 54Tim RothTim Rothborn 1961 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  55. 55Robbie ColtraneRobbie Coltrane1950–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  56. 56Natasha RichardsonNatasha Richardson1963–2009 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  57. 57Jane SeymourJane Seymourborn 1951 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  58. 58Joan FontaineJoan Fontaine1917–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  59. 59Alfred MolinaAlfred Molinaborn 1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  60. 60Jean SimmonsJean Simmons1929–2010 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors7 decades
  61. 61Billy ConnollyBilly Connollyborn 1942 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  62. 62Albert FinneyAlbert Finney1936–2019 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  63. 63Joan CollinsJoan Collinsborn 1933 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  64. 64Donald PleasenceDonald Pleasence1919–1995 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  65. 65Richard GriffithsRichard Griffiths1947–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  66. 66Charles DanceCharles Danceborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  67. 67Clive OwenClive Owenborn 1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  68. 68Mark StrongMark Strongborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  69. 69Ian HolmIan Holm1931–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  70. 70Imelda StauntonImelda Stauntonborn 1956 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  71. 71Michael PalinMichael Palinborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  72. 72Bill NighyBill Nighyborn 1949 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  73. 73Deborah KerrDeborah Kerr1921–2007 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  74. 74Rupert EverettRupert Everettborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  75. 75Jim BroadbentJim Broadbentborn 1949 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  76. 76Simon CowellSimon Cowellborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  77. 77Stan LaurelStan Laurel1890–1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors6 decades
  78. 78Jason IsaacsJason Isaacsborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  79. 79Tom WilkinsonTom Wilkinson1948–2023 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors1 decades
  80. 80David ThewlisDavid Thewlisborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  81. 81David SuchetDavid Suchetborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors2 decades
  82. 82James MasonJames Mason1909–1984 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors12 decades
  83. 83John Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-Daviesborn 1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  84. 84Julie WaltersJulie Waltersborn 1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors3 decades
  85. 85Jessica TandyJessica Tandy1909–1994 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors8 decades
  86. 86Timothy SpallTimothy Spallborn 1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  87. 87Brian CoxBrian Coxborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  88. 88Charles LaughtonCharles Laughton1899–1962 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  89. 89Terence StampTerence Stamp1938–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  90. 90Jonathan PryceJonathan Pryceborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  91. 91Miranda RichardsonMiranda Richardsonborn 1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors0 decades
  92. 92Derek JacobiDerek Jacobiborn 1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  93. 93Robert CarlyleRobert Carlyleborn 1961 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  94. 94Boris KarloffBoris Karloff1887–1969 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  95. 95Pete PostlethwaitePete Postlethwaite1946–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  96. 96Peter CushingPeter Cushing1913–1994 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors5 decades
  97. 97John GielgudJohn Gielgud1904–2000 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors9 decades
  98. 98Peter CapaldiPeter Capaldiborn 1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actorsnot measured—
  99. 99Graham ChapmanGraham Chapman1941–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 decades
  100. 100Terry JonesTerry Jones1942–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Actors4 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.