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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1Mao ZedongMao Zedong1893–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians275
  2. 2Lu XunLu Xun1881–1936 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers60
  3. 3Liu ShaoqiLiu Shaoqi1898–1969 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians58
  4. 4Zhou EnlaiZhou Enlai1898–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians55
  5. 5Lin BiaoLin Biao1907–1971 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians40
  6. 6Deng XiaopingDeng Xiaoping1909–1997 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians34
  7. 7Sun Yat-senSun Yat-sen1866–1925 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians31
  8. 8Jiang ZeminJiang Zemin1926–2022 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians13
  9. 9ConfuciusConfucius551 BC–479 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics12
  10. 10Jiang QingJiang Qing1914–1991 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors10
  11. 11Zhu DeZhu De1886–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians9.6
  12. 12Cao XueqinCao Xueqin1724–1760 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers5.9
  13. 13Li PengLi Peng1928–2019 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.4
  14. 14Lee Teng-huiLee Teng-hui1923–2020 · 20th century · Politicians5.2
  15. 15Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai1859–1916 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians5.0
  16. 16LaoziLaozi579 BC–500 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics4.7
  17. 17Lin YutangLin Yutang1895–1976 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers4.6
  18. 18Soong Ching-lingSoong Ching-ling1893–1981 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians4.4
  19. 19GMGao Ming1305–1370 · 14th century · Writers3.4
  20. 20Zhuang ZhouZhuang Zhou369 BC–288 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Academics2.8
  21. 21Li BaiLi Bai701–762 · 8th century · Writers2.3
  22. 22Kang YouweiKang Youwei1858–1927 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.3
  23. 23Li HongzhangLi Hongzhang1823–1901 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians2.0
  24. 24WCWang Chong27–97 · 1st century · Scientists1.9
  25. 25Wang AnshiWang Anshi1021–1086 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.7
  26. 26Yan FuYan Fu1854–1921 · 19th century · Writers1.6
  27. 27Zhu XiZhu Xi1130–1200 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.4
  28. 28Hong XiuquanHong Xiuquan1814–1864 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.4
  29. 29Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang181–234 · 3rd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.3
  30. 30Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee1917–1979 · 20th century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Politicians1.3
  31. 31Zhao ZiyangZhao Ziyang1919–2005 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.2
  32. 32Dong ZhongshuDong Zhongshu179 BC–104 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.2
  33. 33Qu YuanQu Yuan343 BC–278 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.2
  34. 34Hsu Shih-changHsu Shih-chang1855–1939 · 19th century · Politicians1.2
  35. 35Du FuDu Fu712–770 · 8th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  36. 36Wang FuzhiWang Fuzhi1619–1692 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  37. 37Sima QianSima Qian145 BC–86 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Writers1.1
  38. 38Wu QiWu Qi440 BC–381 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians1.0
  39. 39Liu ZongyuanLiu Zongyuan773–819 · 9th century · Writers1.0
  40. 40Kim Il-sungKim Il-sung1912–1994 · 20th century · Politicians1.0
  41. 41LSLi Si280 BC–208 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians1.0
  42. 42Li ZichengLi Zicheng1606–1645 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.96
  43. 43Hu JintaoHu Jintaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.93
  44. 44MoziMozi470 BC–391 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.86
  45. 45Cao CaoCao Cao155–220 · 2nd century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.83
  46. 46Xun KuangXun Kuang313 BC–230 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.73
  47. 47Tan SitongTan Sitong1865–1898 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.73
  48. 48Lin Tse-hsuLin Tse-hsu1785–1850 · 19th century · Politicians0.69
  49. 49Wen TianxiangWen Tianxiang1236–1283 · 13th century · Politicians0.66
  50. 50Hua GuofengHua Guofeng1921–2008 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.64
  51. 51Mo YanMo Yanborn 1955 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.59
  52. 52Wu ZetianWu Zetian624–705 · 7th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.58
  53. 53Li QiangLi Qiangborn 1959 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.57
  54. 54Hai RuiHai Rui1514–1587 · 16th century0.56
  55. 55CSChen Shou233–297 · 3rd century · Writers0.52
  56. 56Zhang YimouZhang Yimouborn 1950 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Directors0.50
  57. 57Chiang Ching-kuoChiang Ching-kuo1910–1988 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.49
  58. 58Tao YuanmingTao Yuanming365–427 · 5th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.49
  59. 59Wang YangmingWang Yangming1472–1529 · 16th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.49
  60. 60Bai JuyiBai Juyi772–846 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.45
  61. 61Jackie ChanJackie Chanborn 1954 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Actors0.43
  62. 62Shen KuoShen Kuo1031–1095 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.42
  63. 63Li YuanhongLi Yuanhong1864–1928 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.41
  64. 64Zheng HeZheng He1371–1433 · 15th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.41
  65. 65KoxingaKoxinga1624–1662 · 17th century · 🇯🇵 Japan · Politicians0.39
  66. 66Zhu RongjiZhu Rongjiborn 1928 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.39
  67. 67Chen-ning YangChen-ning Yang1922–2025 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Scientists0.38
  68. 68Lee Kuan YewLee Kuan Yew1923–2015 · 20th century · Politicians0.37
  69. 69Ma LongMa Longborn 1988 · 21st century · 🇨🇳 China · Actors0.37
  70. 70Shi KefaShi Kefa1601–1645 · 17th century · Politicians0.37
  71. 71Dai ZhenDai Zhen1724–1777 · 18th century · 🇨🇳 China · Academics0.34
  72. 72DXDeng Xi545 BC–501 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.31
  73. 73Zeng GuofanZeng Guofan1811–1872 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.30
  74. 74Liu BeiLiu Bei161–223 · 2nd century0.28
  75. 75Han YuHan Yu768–824 · 9th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.28
  76. 76ShitaoShitao1642–1707 · 17th century · Artists0.28
  77. 77Liu XiaoboLiu Xiaobo1955–2017 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.27
  78. 78Bada ShanrenBada Shanren1626–1705 · 17th century · Artists0.27
  79. 79Guan HanqingGuan Hanqing1210–1298 · 13th century · Writers0.27
  80. 80Pu SonglingPu Songling1640–1715 · 17th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.25
  81. 81Xu XiakeXu Xiake1587–1641 · 17th century · Historical Figures0.24
  82. 82Hongwu EmperorHongwu Emperor1328–1398 · 14th century · 🇨🇳 China · Historical Figures0.23
  83. 83Gu KaizhiGu Kaizhi345–406 · 4th century · Artists0.23
  84. 84Su ShiSu Shi1037–1101 · 11th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.22
  85. 85He ZhizhangHe Zhizhang659–744 · 7th century · Writers0.22
  86. 86Gu YanwuGu Yanwu1613–1682 · 17th century · Writers0.21
  87. 87Gao XingjianGao Xingjianborn 1940 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.21
  88. 88Fang LaFang Ladied 1121 · 12th century0.21
  89. 89Hui ShiHui Shi370 BC–310 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.20
  90. 90Zhang ZaiZhang Zai1020–1077 · 11th century · Academics0.19
  91. 91Yu QianYu Qian1398–1457 · 15th century · Writers0.19
  92. 92Wen JiabaoWen Jiabaoborn 1942 · 20th century · 🇨🇳 China · Politicians0.18
  93. 93Ban GuBan Gu32–92 · 1st century · Writers0.18
  94. 94Li ShizhenLi Shizhen1517–1593 · 16th century · Scientists0.18
  95. 95Qi BaishiQi Baishi1864–1957 · 19th century · 🇨🇳 China · Artists0.16
  96. 96Song YingxingSong Yingxing1587–1666 · 17th century · Writers0.16
  97. 97Xu GuangqiXu Guangqi1562–1633 · 16th century · Politicians0.15
  98. 98Lu YouLu You1125–1210 · 12th century · 🇨🇳 China · Writers0.15
  99. 99Liu YuxiLiu Yuxi772–842 · 9th century · Writers0.14
  100. 100Huang ZongxiHuang Zongxi1610–1695 · 17th century · Academics0.14

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. 1Charles de GaulleCharles de Gaulle1890–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians9 decades
  2. 2Nicolas SarkozyNicolas Sarkozyborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  3. 3Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot1934–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  4. 4Albert CamusAlbert Camus1913–1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  5. 5Jacques ChiracJacques Chirac1932–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  6. 6François HollandeFrançois Hollandeborn 1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians4 decades
  7. 7Édith PiafÉdith Piaf1915–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  8. 8François MitterrandFrançois Mitterrand1916–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  9. 9Alain DelonAlain Delon1935–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  10. 10Simone de BeauvoirSimone de Beauvoir1908–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  11. 11Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  12. 12Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre1905–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  13. 13Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  14. 14Henri MatisseHenri Matisse1869–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  15. 15Coco ChanelCoco Chanel1883–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers6 decades
  16. 16Valéry Giscard d'EstaingValéry Giscard d'Estaing1926–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  17. 17Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  18. 18Charles AznavourCharles Aznavour1924–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians8 decades
  19. 19Jean-Paul BelmondoJean-Paul Belmondo1933–2021 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  20. 20Gérard DepardieuGérard Depardieuborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  21. 21Michel FoucaultMichel Foucault1926–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 decades
  22. 22Louis de FunèsLouis de Funès1914–1983 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  23. 23Michel PlatiniMichel Platiniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers5 decades
  24. 24Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel1875–1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians12 decades
  25. 25Catherine DeneuveCatherine Deneuveborn 1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  26. 26Isabelle AdjaniIsabelle Adjaniborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  27. 27Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  28. 28Marc ChagallMarc Chagall1887–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  29. 29Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  30. 30Simone WeilSimone Weil1909–1943 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics9 decades
  31. 31Arsène WengerArsène Wengerborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers2 decades
  32. 32Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  33. 33Igor StravinskyIgor Stravinsky1882–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  34. 34Luc BessonLuc Bessonborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors4 decades
  35. 35Juliette BinocheJuliette Binocheborn 1964 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors4 decades
  36. 36Jean RenoJean Renoborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors2 decades
  37. 37Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent1936–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers5 decades
  38. 38Bernard ArnaultBernard Arnaultborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Founders4 decades
  39. 39Romy SchneiderRomy Schneider1938–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  40. 40Jeanne CalmentJeanne Calment1875–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  41. 41Christine LagardeChristine Lagardeborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians2 decades
  42. 42Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  43. 43Christian DiorChristian Dior1905–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Designers8 decades
  44. 44Jean GabinJean Gabin1904–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  45. 45Georges PompidouGeorges Pompidou1911–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  46. 46Serge GainsbourgSerge Gainsbourg1928–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  47. 47François TruffautFrançois Truffaut1932–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  48. 48Johnny HallydayJohnny Hallyday1943–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  49. 49Jules RimetJules Rimet1873–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Lawyers3 decades
  50. 50Jeanne MoreauJeanne Moreau1928–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  51. 51Albert SchweitzerAlbert Schweitzer1875–1965 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors12 decades
  52. 52Isabelle HuppertIsabelle Huppertborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors5 decades
  53. 53Erik SatieErik Satie1866–1925 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians11 decades
  54. 54Yves MontandYves Montand1921–1991 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  55. 55Christopher LambertChristopher Lambertborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors1 decades
  56. 56Jean-Michel JarreJean-Michel Jarreborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians4 decades
  57. 57Alain ProstAlain Prostborn 1955 · 🇫🇷 France · Athletes4 decades
  58. 58Jean-Marie Le PenJean-Marie Le Pen1928–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians8 decades
  59. 59Brigitte MacronBrigitte Macronborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France1 decades
  60. 60Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  61. 61Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  62. 62Mireille MathieuMireille Mathieuborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  63. 63ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  64. 64Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  65. 65Irène Joliot-CurieIrène Joliot-Curie1897–1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Scientists8 decades
  66. 66Just FontaineJust Fontaine1933–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  67. 67Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  68. 68Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  69. 69Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu1930–2002 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  70. 70Dominique de VillepinDominique de Villepinborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians3 decades
  71. 71Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  72. 72Gilles DeleuzeGilles Deleuze1925–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics7 decades
  73. 73Simone SignoretSimone Signoret1921–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors7 decades
  74. 74Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  75. 75Jacques DerridaJacques Derrida1930–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  76. 76France GallFrance Gall1947–2018 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians6 decades
  77. 77Kristin Scott ThomasKristin Scott Thomasborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors3 decades
  78. 78Frantz FanonFrantz Fanon1925–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Doctors7 decades
  79. 79André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  80. 80Jean-Bédel BokassaJean-Bédel Bokassa1921–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians6 decades
  81. 81Jean-Luc MélenchonJean-Luc Mélenchonborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians1 decades
  82. 82Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  83. 83René GoscinnyRené Goscinny1926–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  84. 84Ségolène RoyalSégolène Royalborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians5 decades
  85. 85Jean MaraisJean Marais1913–1998 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors8 decades
  86. 86Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  87. 87Pierre LavalPierre Laval1883–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians11 decades
  88. 88Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  89. 89Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  90. 90Dominique Strauss-KahnDominique Strauss-Kahnborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics4 decades
  91. 91Édouard BalladurÉdouard Balladurborn 1929 · 🇫🇷 France · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  93. 93Jean-Pierre PapinJean-Pierre Papinborn 1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Footballers3 decades
  94. 94Louis MalleLouis Malle1932–1995 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  95. 95Jean-Louis TrintignantJean-Louis Trintignant1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors6 decades
  96. 96Django ReinhardtDjango Reinhardt1910–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Musicians7 decades
  97. 97Jean BaudrillardJean Baudrillard1929–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics6 decades
  98. 98FernandelFernandel1903–1971 · 🇫🇷 France · Actors9 decades
  99. 99Léon BlumLéon Blum1872–1950 · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians13 decades
  100. 100Roland BarthesRoland Barthes1915–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Academics8 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.