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. 1Steven SpielbergSteven Spielbergborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  2. 2Anne FrankAnne Frank1929–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors7 decades
  3. 3Alfred HitchcockAlfred Hitchcock1899–1980 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors9 decades
  4. 4Quentin TarantinoQuentin Tarantinoborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  5. 5Woody AllenWoody Allenborn 1935 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  6. 6Stanley KubrickStanley Kubrick1928–1999 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  7. 7Walt DisneyWalt Disney1901–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  8. 8David LynchDavid Lynch1946–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  9. 9Roman PolanskiRoman Polanskiborn 1933 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  10. 10Federico FelliniFederico Fellini1920–1993 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  11. 11Martin ScorseseMartin Scorseseborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  12. 12James CameronJames Cameronborn 1954 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directors7 decades
  13. 13Hayao MiyazakiHayao Miyazakiborn 1941 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Directors2 decades
  14. 14George LucasGeorge Lucasborn 1944 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  15. 15Andrei TarkovskyAndrei Tarkovsky1932–1986 · Directors5 decades
  16. 16Orson WellesOrson Welles1915–1985 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors9 decades
  17. 17Tim BurtonTim Burtonborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  18. 18Francis Ford CoppolaFrancis Ford Coppolaborn 1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  19. 19Pedro AlmodóvarPedro Almodóvarborn 1949 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Directors4 decades
  20. 20Ridley ScottRidley Scottborn 1937 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors4 decades
  21. 21Leni RiefenstahlLeni Riefenstahl1902–2003 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors9 decades
  22. 22Akira KurosawaAkira Kurosawa1910–1998 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Directors6 decades
  23. 23Ingmar BergmanIngmar Bergman1918–2007 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Directors6 decades
  24. 24Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard1930–2022 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors6 decades
  25. 25Peter JacksonPeter Jacksonborn 1961 · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · Directors6 decades
  26. 26Jacques CousteauJacques Cousteau1910–1997 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors5 decades
  27. 27Luc BessonLuc Bessonborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors4 decades
  28. 28Buster KeatonBuster Keaton1895–1966 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors10 decades
  29. 29Sergio LeoneSergio Leone1929–1989 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  30. 30Werner HerzogWerner Herzogborn 1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors6 decades
  31. 31Guillermo del ToroGuillermo del Toroborn 1964 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Directors3 decades
  32. 32Oliver StoneOliver Stoneborn 1946 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  33. 33Rob ReinerRob Reiner1947–2025 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  34. 34Lars von TrierLars von Trierborn 1956 · Directors3 decades
  35. 35Terry GilliamTerry Gilliamborn 1940 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors4 decades
  36. 36Danny BoyleDanny Boyleborn 1956 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors2 decades
  37. 37David FincherDavid Fincherborn 1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  38. 38Steven SoderberghSteven Soderberghborn 1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  39. 39Ron HowardRon Howardborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  40. 40Alejandro González IñárrituAlejandro González Iñárrituborn 1963 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Directors2 decades
  41. 41David CronenbergDavid Cronenbergborn 1943 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Directors4 decades
  42. 42Brian De PalmaBrian De Palmaborn 1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  43. 43Ted TurnerTed Turner1938–2026 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  44. 44Wim WendersWim Wendersborn 1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors5 decades
  45. 45Caitlyn JennerCaitlyn Jennerborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1 decades
  46. 46Billy WilderBilly Wilder1906–2002 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  47. 47François TruffautFrançois Truffaut1932–1984 · 🇫🇷 France · Directors7 decades
  48. 48Bob SagetBob Saget1956–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  49. 49Spike LeeSpike Leeborn 1957 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  50. 50Sam RaimiSam Raimiborn 1959 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  51. 51Elia KazanElia Kazan1909–2003 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  52. 52John FordJohn Ford1894–1973 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors13 decades
  53. 53Takeshi KitanoTakeshi Kitanoborn 1947 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Directors0 decades
  54. 54Sydney PollackSydney Pollack1934–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  55. 55Matt GroeningMatt Groeningborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  56. 56Kathryn BigelowKathryn Bigelowborn 1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  57. 57Harvey WeinsteinHarvey Weinsteinborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  58. 58Alfonso CuarónAlfonso Cuarónborn 1961 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Directors3 decades
  59. 59John HustonJohn Huston1906–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors12 decades
  60. 60Ang LeeAng Leeborn 1954 · Directors3 decades
  61. 61Bernardo BertolucciBernardo Bertolucci1941–2018 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors6 decades
  62. 62Andrei KonchalovskyAndrei Konchalovskyborn 1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  63. 63Sidney LumetSidney Lumet1924–2011 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  64. 64John CarpenterJohn Carpenterborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors8 decades
  65. 65Nora EphronNora Ephron1941–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  66. 66Wolfgang PetersenWolfgang Petersen1941–2022 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors4 decades
  67. 67Vittorio De SicaVittorio De Sica1901–1974 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors9 decades
  68. 68Luis BuñuelLuis Buñuel1900–1983 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Directors8 decades
  69. 69Nikita MikhalkovNikita Mikhalkovborn 1945 · Directors4 decades
  70. 70Roland EmmerichRoland Emmerichborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors3 decades
  71. 71Joss WhedonJoss Whedonborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  72. 72Fritz LangFritz Lang1890–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Directors9 decades
  73. 73Bob FosseBob Fosse1927–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  74. 74Jim JarmuschJim Jarmuschborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  75. 75Michelangelo AntonioniMichelangelo Antonioni1912–2007 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  76. 76Paul VerhoevenPaul Verhoevenborn 1938 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Directors8 decades
  77. 77Tony ScottTony Scott1944–2012 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors6 decades
  78. 78Michael MooreMichael Mooreborn 1954 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  79. 79Jim HensonJim Henson1936–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors4 decades
  80. 80Gus Van SantGus Van Santborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  81. 81Luchino ViscontiLuchino Visconti1906–1976 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors12 decades
  82. 82Miloš FormanMiloš Forman1932–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  83. 83Wong Kar-waiWong Kar-waiborn 1958 · 🇨🇳 China · Directors3 decades
  84. 84Kris JennerKris Jennerborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors0 decades
  85. 85Chris ColumbusChris Columbusborn 1958 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  86. 86Robert AltmanRobert Altman1925–2006 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  87. 87Sergei EisensteinSergei Eisenstein1898–1948 · Directors9 decades
  88. 88Michael MannMichael Mannborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors5 decades
  89. 89John CassavetesJohn Cassavetes1929–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  90. 90Roberto RosselliniRoberto Rossellini1906–1977 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Directors8 decades
  91. 91Terrence MalickTerrence Malickborn 1943 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  92. 92Mike NicholsMike Nichols1931–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors6 decades
  93. 93Emir KusturicaEmir Kusturicaborn 1954 · Directors2 decades
  94. 94Wes CravenWes Craven1939–2015 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors3 decades
  95. 95Frank OzFrank Ozborn 1944 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Directors2 decades
  96. 96Aaron SorkinAaron Sorkinborn 1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors2 decades
  97. 97Steve BannonSteve Bannonborn 1953 · 🇺🇸 United States · Directors1 decades
  98. 98Michael HanekeMichael Hanekeborn 1942 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Directors3 decades
  99. 99Mira NairMira Nairborn 1957 · 🇮🇳 India · Directorsnot measured—
  100. 100Alejandro JodorowskyAlejandro Jodorowskyborn 1929 · Directors6 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.