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. 1Pope FrancisPope Francis1936–2025 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writersnot measured—
  2. 2Gabriel García MárquezGabriel García Márquez1927–2014 · Writers7 decades
  3. 3Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr.1929–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  4. 4Franz KafkaFranz Kafka1883–1924 · Writers11 decades
  5. 5Thomas MannThomas Mann1875–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  6. 6Agatha ChristieAgatha Christie1890–1976 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  7. 7J. R. R. TolkienJ. R. R. Tolkien1892–1973 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  8. 8Mario Vargas LlosaMario Vargas Llosa1936–2025 · Writers7 decades
  9. 9Pope John Paul IPope John Paul I1912–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers2 decades
  10. 10Stephen KingStephen Kingborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  11. 11Federico García LorcaFederico García Lorca1898–1936 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Writers10 decades
  12. 12Jorge Luis BorgesJorge Luis Borges1899–1986 · 🇦🇷 Argentina · Writers11 decades
  13. 13George OrwellGeorge Orwell1903–1950 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  14. 14Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  15. 15Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway1899–1961 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Aleksandr SolzhenitsynAleksandr Solzhenitsyn1918–2008 · Writers6 decades
  17. 17Carl JungCarl Jung1875–1961 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Writers8 decades
  18. 18Pablo NerudaPablo Neruda1904–1973 · Writers10 decades
  19. 19Bertolt BrechtBertolt Brecht1898–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  20. 20Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov1891–1940 · Writers8 decades
  21. 21Rosa ParksRosa Parks1913–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  22. 22Hermann HesseHermann Hesse1877–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  23. 23Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  24. 24Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf1882–1941 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  25. 25Vladimir NabokovVladimir Nabokov1899–1977 · Writers7 decades
  26. 26Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria Rilke1875–1926 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers12 decades
  27. 27Stefan ZweigStefan Zweig1881–1942 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Writers12 decades
  28. 28Isaac AsimovIsaac Asimov1920–1992 · Writers7 decades
  29. 29Umberto EcoUmberto Eco1932–2016 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers7 decades
  30. 30Amelia EarhartAmelia Earhart1897–1939 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  31. 31Ayn RandAyn Rand1905–1982 · Writers3 decades
  32. 32Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky1868–1936 · Writers13 decades
  33. 33Helen KellerHelen Keller1880–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers14 decades
  34. 34Jack LondonJack London1876–1916 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers12 decades
  35. 35Astrid LindgrenAstrid Lindgren1907–2002 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers6 decades
  36. 36George R. R. MartinGeorge R. R. Martinborn 1948 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1 decades
  37. 37Pier Paolo PasoliniPier Paolo Pasolini1922–1975 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers8 decades
  38. 38Erich Maria RemarqueErich Maria Remarque1898–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers10 decades
  39. 39Haruki MurakamiHaruki Murakamiborn 1949 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers2 decades
  40. 40H. P. LovecraftH. P. Lovecraft1890–1937 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  41. 41Salman RushdieSalman Rushdieborn 1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  42. 42Buzz AldrinBuzz Aldrinborn 1930 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  43. 43Dan BrownDan Brownborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  44. 44Michelle ObamaMichelle Obamaborn 1964 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers2 decades
  45. 45Aldous HuxleyAldous Huxley1894–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  46. 46Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling1865–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers13 decades
  47. 47Samuel BeckettSamuel Beckett1906–1989 · Writers7 decades
  48. 48H. G. WellsH. G. Wells1866–1946 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers16 decades
  49. 49James JoyceJames Joyce1882–1941 · Writers12 decades
  50. 50Bobby FischerBobby Fischer1943–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  51. 51Roald DahlRoald Dahl1916–1990 · 🇳🇴 Norway · Writers6 decades
  52. 52John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck1902–1968 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers9 decades
  53. 53Margaret AtwoodMargaret Atwoodborn 1939 · 🇨🇦 Canada · Writers5 decades
  54. 54C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis1898–1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  55. 55Stan LeeStan Lee1922–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  56. 56Charles BukowskiCharles Bukowski1920–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Writers5 decades
  57. 57Ian FlemingIan Fleming1908–1964 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  58. 58F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald1896–1940 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  59. 59Yukio MishimaYukio Mishima1925–1970 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers6 decades
  60. 60Truman CapoteTruman Capote1924–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  61. 61Khalil GibranKhalil Gibran1883–1931 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers5 decades
  62. 62William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner1897–1962 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  63. 63Sylvia PlathSylvia Plath1932–1963 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  64. 64Philip K. DickPhilip K. Dick1928–1982 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  65. 65Terry PratchettTerry Pratchett1948–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3 decades
  66. 66Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh1902–1974 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  67. 67Maya AngelouMaya Angelou1928–2014 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  68. 68George S. PattonGeorge S. Patton1885–1945 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  69. 69Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le Guin1929–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  70. 70Jack KerouacJack Kerouac1922–1969 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers6 decades
  71. 71Isabel AllendeIsabel Allendeborn 1942 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  72. 72Douglas AdamsDouglas Adams1952–2001 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers4 decades
  73. 73Arthur MillerArthur Miller1915–2005 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  74. 74Robert ZemeckisRobert Zemeckisborn 1952 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  75. 75J. D. SalingerJ. D. Salinger1919–2010 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  76. 76Neil GaimanNeil Gaimanborn 1960 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers2 decades
  77. 77Toni MorrisonToni Morrison1931–2019 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  78. 78Frank HerbertFrank Herbert1920–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  79. 79Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley1875–1947 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  80. 80Tom ClancyTom Clancy1947–2013 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers4 decades
  81. 81Michael CrichtonMichael Crichton1942–2008 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  82. 82Kazuo IshiguroKazuo Ishiguroborn 1954 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers3 decades
  83. 83G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton1874–1936 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers12 decades
  84. 84Arthur C. ClarkeArthur C. Clarke1917–2008 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  85. 85Bernard MontgomeryBernard Montgomery1887–1976 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers5 decades
  86. 86Harper LeeHarper Lee1926–2016 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  87. 87James BaldwinJames Baldwin1924–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers10 decades
  88. 88Doris LessingDoris Lessing1919–2013 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers7 decades
  89. 89Ray BradburyRay Bradbury1920–2012 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  90. 90Ezra PoundEzra Pound1885–1972 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  91. 91Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  92. 92Tennessee WilliamsTennessee Williams1911–1983 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers8 decades
  93. 93Ryūnosuke AkutagawaRyūnosuke Akutagawa1892–1927 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Writers0 decades
  94. 94Anne RiceAnne Rice1941–2021 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers3 decades
  95. 95Graham GreeneGraham Greene1904–1991 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers9 decades
  96. 96Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter1866–1943 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers10 decades
  97. 97William S. BurroughsWilliam S. Burroughs1914–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers5 decades
  98. 98Allen GinsbergAllen Ginsberg1926–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers7 decades
  99. 99T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot1888–1965 · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers11 decades
  100. 100Sergei YeseninSergei Yesenin1895–1925 · Writers11 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.