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. 1Agatha ChristieAgatha Christie1890–1976 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  2. 2J. R. R. TolkienJ. R. R. Tolkien1892–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  3. 3George OrwellGeorge Orwell1903–1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  4. 4Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf1882–1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  5. 5Salman RushdieSalman Rushdieborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  6. 6Aldous HuxleyAldous Huxley1894–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  7. 7Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling1865–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  8. 8H. G. WellsH. G. Wells1866–1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  9. 9C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis1898–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  10. 10Ian FlemingIan Fleming1908–1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  11. 11Terry PratchettTerry Pratchett1948–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3 decades
  12. 12Douglas AdamsDouglas Adams1952–2001 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  13. 13Neil GaimanNeil Gaimanborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2 decades
  14. 14Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley1875–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  15. 15Kazuo IshiguroKazuo Ishiguroborn 1954 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3 decades
  16. 16G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton1874–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  17. 17Arthur C. ClarkeArthur C. Clarke1917–2008 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  18. 18Bernard MontgomeryBernard Montgomery1887–1976 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  19. 19Doris LessingDoris Lessing1919–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  20. 20Graham GreeneGraham Greene1904–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  21. 21Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter1866–1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  22. 22W. Somerset MaughamW. Somerset Maugham1874–1965 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0 decades
  23. 23John le CarréJohn le Carré1931–2020 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2 decades
  24. 24D. H. LawrenceD. H. Lawrence1885–1930 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers11 decades
  25. 25Enid BlytonEnid Blyton1897–1968 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers8 decades
  26. 26Daphne du MaurierDaphne du Maurier1907–1989 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  27. 27Alan MooreAlan Mooreborn 1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  28. 28Sarah FergusonSarah Fergusonborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  29. 29A. A. MilneA. A. Milne1882–1956 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  30. 30Christopher HitchensChristopher Hitchens1949–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  31. 31Dylan ThomasDylan Thomas1914–1953 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  32. 32Noël CowardNoël Coward1899–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  33. 33Ken FollettKen Follettborn 1949 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  34. 34E. M. ForsterE. M. Forster1879–1970 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  35. 35Alexander LitvinenkoAlexander Litvinenko1962–2006 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2 decades
  36. 36Harold PinterHarold Pinter1930–2008 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  37. 37Desmond MorrisDesmond Morris1928–2026 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  38. 38Ian McEwanIan McEwanborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  39. 39P. G. WodehouseP. G. Wodehouse1881–1975 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers11 decades
  40. 40Gertrude BellGertrude Bell1868–1926 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  41. 41Evelyn WaughEvelyn Waugh1903–1966 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  42. 42W. H. AudenW. H. Auden1907–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  43. 43Alan WattsAlan Watts1915–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  44. 44William GoldingWilliam Golding1911–1993 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  45. 45Anthony BurgessAnthony Burgess1917–1993 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  46. 46Clive BarkerClive Barkerborn 1952 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  47. 47Robert GravesRobert Graves1895–1985 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  48. 48Ted HughesTed Hughes1930–1998 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  49. 49Oliver SacksOliver Sacks1933–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  50. 50Tom StoppardTom Stoppard1937–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  51. 51Philip PullmanPhilip Pullmanborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2 decades
  52. 52J. G. BallardJ. G. Ballard1930–2009 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  53. 53Steve DavisSteve Davisborn 1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  54. 54Iris MurdochIris Murdoch1919–1999 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  55. 55Nigella LawsonNigella Lawsonborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  56. 56David IrvingDavid Irvingborn 1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  57. 57Elias CanettiElias Canetti1905–1994 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  58. 58Frederick ForsythFrederick Forsyth1938–2025 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  59. 59Anna FreudAnna Freud1895–1982 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  60. 60Marty FeldmanMarty Feldman1934–1982 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Julian BarnesJulian Barnesborn 1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  62. 62Lee ChildLee Childborn 1954 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  63. 63Irvine WelshIrvine Welshborn 1958 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3 decades
  64. 64Martin AmisMartin Amis1949–2023 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  65. 65Iain BanksIain Banks1954–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0 decades
  66. 66Gerald DurrellGerald Durrell1925–1995 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  67. 67Jeffrey ArcherJeffrey Archerborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Edith CavellEdith Cavell1865–1915 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers11 decades
  69. 69Seamus HeaneySeamus Heaney1939–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  70. 70Arthur KoestlerArthur Koestler1905–1983 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers8 decades
  71. 71Anthony HorowitzAnthony Horowitzborn 1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Barbara CartlandBarbara Cartland1901–2000 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  73. 73Michael MoorcockMichael Moorcockborn 1939 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Jim CorbettJim Corbett1875–1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Dorothy L. SayersDorothy L. Sayers1893–1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  76. 76John GalsworthyJohn Galsworthy1867–1933 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  77. 77Niall FergusonNiall Fergusonborn 1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Vita Sackville-WestVita Sackville-West1892–1962 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  79. 79Hilary MantelHilary Mantel1952–2022 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers1 decades
  80. 80Erika MannErika Mann1905–1969 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Nancy MitfordNancy Mitford1904–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Arnold J. ToynbeeArnold J. Toynbee1889–1975 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers11 decades
  83. 83Siegfried SassoonSiegfried Sassoon1886–1967 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84P. D. JamesP. D. James1920–2014 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Lawrence DurrellLawrence Durrell1912–1990 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers8 decades
  86. 86Christopher IsherwoodChristopher Isherwood1904–1986 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87Mike LeighMike Leighborn 1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Nick HornbyNick Hornbyborn 1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Robert HarrisRobert Harrisborn 1957 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Paul GreengrassPaul Greengrassborn 1955 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91E. L. JamesE. L. Jamesborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  92. 92Diana Wynne JonesDiana Wynne Jones1934–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  93. 93Steven MoffatSteven Moffatborn 1961 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Steven KnightSteven Knightborn 1959 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Jackie CollinsJackie Collins1937–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Noor Inayat KhanNoor Inayat Khan1914–1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97John FowlesJohn Fowles1926–2005 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers6 decades
  98. 98Abdulrazak GurnahAbdulrazak Gurnahborn 1948 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0 decades
  99. 99Bernard CornwellBernard Cornwellborn 1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Graham HancockGraham Hancockborn 1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 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.