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

In books written inEnglish28,219German4,127French3,913Italian2,072Spanish1,601Russian838Chinese282Hebrew149
  1. 1JesusJesus5 BC–30 · 1st century · Religious Figures30
  2. 2AristotleAristotle384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.1
  3. 3PlatoPlato428 BC–348 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics7.1
  4. 4HomerHomer900 BC–800 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers7.1
  5. 5AugustusAugustus63 BC–14 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.9
  6. 6SealSealborn 1963 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Musicians4.5
  7. 7RMRMborn 1994 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians4.5
  8. 8Johns HopkinsJohns Hopkins1795–1873 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders4.4
  9. 9CiceroCicero106 BC–43 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians4.0
  10. 10George WashingtonGeorge Washington1732–1799 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians3.8
  11. 11SocratesSocrates470 BC–399 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Academics3.4
  12. 12VirgilVirgil70 BC–19 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers3.3
  13. 13Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln1809–1865 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians2.0
  14. 14EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.9
  15. 15PinkPinkborn 1979 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.6
  16. 16AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC1.6
  17. 17Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.6
  18. 18IUIUborn 1993 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians1.6
  19. 19OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  20. 20MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.5
  21. 21Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.5
  22. 22Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  23. 23Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.5
  24. 24Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.5
  25. 25PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.5
  26. 26CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.4
  27. 27Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  28. 28Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  29. 29William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.3
  30. 30Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  31. 31HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.3
  32. 32CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.3
  33. 33RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.3
  34. 34EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  35. 35PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.1
  36. 36John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.1
  37. 37John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.0
  38. 38Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.0
  39. 39Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.0
  40. 40HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.0
  41. 41Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.0
  42. 42HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0
  43. 43Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  44. 44Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.0
  45. 45John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  46. 46SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.0
  47. 47Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.99
  48. 48GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.97
  49. 49Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.95
  50. 50LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.95
  51. 51BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.94
  52. 52John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.93
  53. 53SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.93
  54. 54Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.90
  55. 55PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.89
  56. 56John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.87
  57. 57Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.86
  58. 58Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.86
  59. 59William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.86
  60. 60HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.83
  61. 61Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.83
  62. 62ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.83
  63. 63Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.81
  64. 64AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.79
  65. 65Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.79
  66. 66Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.79
  67. 67Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.79
  68. 68CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.79
  69. 69Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.79
  70. 70AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century0.78
  71. 71OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.76
  72. 72George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.75
  73. 73DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.75
  74. 74John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.75
  75. 75Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.75
  76. 76XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.73
  77. 77Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians0.72
  78. 78HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century0.72
  79. 79Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century0.72
  80. 80William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders0.71
  81. 81Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.71
  82. 82Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.70
  83. 83Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.70
  84. 84Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century0.70
  85. 85Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.70
  86. 86Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.70
  87. 87Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.70
  88. 88Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.70
  89. 89HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.70
  90. 90Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.70
  91. 91Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.70
  92. 92Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.70
  93. 93Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.70
  94. 94Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France0.69
  95. 95John MarshallJohn Marshall1755–1835 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  96. 96Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  97. 97Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  98. 98James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century0.67
  99. 99OsceolaOsceola1804–1838 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67

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. 1Antoine de Saint-ExupéryAntoine de Saint-Exupéry1900–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  2. 2Marcel ProustMarcel Proust1871–1922 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  3. 3Jean CocteauJean Cocteau1889–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  4. 4Louis-Ferdinand CélineLouis-Ferdinand Céline1894–1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  5. 5Michel HouellebecqMichel Houellebecqborn 1956 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers3 decades
  6. 6ColetteColette1873–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  7. 7Milan KunderaMilan Kundera1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  8. 8Anaïs NinAnaïs Nin1903–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers1 decades
  9. 9Annie ErnauxAnnie Ernauxborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers4 decades
  10. 10Jacques LacanJacques Lacan1901–1981 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  11. 11André GideAndré Gide1869–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  12. 12Romain GaryRomain Gary1914–1980 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  13. 13Marguerite DurasMarguerite Duras1914–1996 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  14. 14Marc BlochMarc Bloch1886–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  15. 15Marcel PagnolMarcel Pagnol1895–1974 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  16. 16Ivan BuninIvan Bunin1870–1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  17. 17Georges BatailleGeorges Bataille1897–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  18. 18André MalrauxAndré Malraux1901–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  19. 19Marguerite YourcenarMarguerite Yourcenar1903–1987 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  20. 20André BretonAndré Breton1896–1966 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  21. 21Jean GenetJean Genet1910–1986 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  22. 22Guillaume ApollinaireGuillaume Apollinaire1880–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  23. 23Françoise SaganFrançoise Sagan1935–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  24. 24Boris VianBoris Vian1920–1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  25. 25Paul ÉluardPaul Éluard1895–1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  26. 26Romain RollandRomain Rolland1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  27. 27Antonin ArtaudAntonin Artaud1896–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  28. 28Gisèle PelicotGisèle Pelicotborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  29. 29René GirardRené Girard1923–2015 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  30. 30René GuénonRené Guénon1886–1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  31. 31Paul CelanPaul Celan1920–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  32. 32Louis AragonLouis Aragon1897–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  33. 33Paul ValéryPaul Valéry1871–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  34. 34Alexander AlekhineAlexander Alekhine1892–1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers0 decades
  35. 35Henri CharrièreHenri Charrière1906–1973 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  36. 36Jean GiraudJean Giraud1938–2012 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  37. 37Fred VargasFred Vargasborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  38. 38Ève CurieÈve Curie1904–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  39. 39Guy DebordGuy Debord1931–1994 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  40. 40François MauriacFrançois Mauriac1885–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  41. 41Gaston LerouxGaston Leroux1868–1927 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  42. 42Georges PerecGeorges Perec1936–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  43. 43Patrick ModianoPatrick Modianoborn 1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  44. 44Éric-Emmanuel SchmittÉric-Emmanuel Schmittborn 1960 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  45. 45Aimé CésaireAimé Césaire1913–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  46. 46Charles MaurrasCharles Maurras1868–1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  47. 47Edmond RostandEdmond Rostand1868–1918 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  48. 48Jacques PrévertJacques Prévert1900–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  49. 49Fernand BraudelFernand Braudel1902–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  50. 50Sacha GuitrySacha Guitry1885–1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  51. 51Pierre LemaitrePierre Lemaitreborn 1951 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  52. 52Emmanuel CarrèreEmmanuel Carrèreborn 1957 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  53. 53Bernard WerberBernard Werberborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  54. 54Pierre NoraPierre Nora1931–2025 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  55. 55Jean GionoJean Giono1895–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  56. 56J. M. G. Le ClézioJ. M. G. Le Clézioborn 1940 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  57. 57Charles PéguyCharles Péguy1873–1914 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  58. 58Georges BernanosGeorges Bernanos1888–1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  59. 59Savitri DeviSavitri Devi1905–1982 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  60. 60Claude BerriClaude Berri1934–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  61. 61Maurice DruonMaurice Druon1918–2009 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  62. 62Alain BadiouAlain Badiouborn 1937 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers6 decades
  63. 63Gaston BachelardGaston Bachelard1884–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  64. 64Yasmina RezaYasmina Rezaborn 1959 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  65. 65Hélène Carrère d'EncausseHélène Carrère d'Encausse1929–2023 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  66. 66Jacques VergèsJacques Vergès1925–2013 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  67. 67Renaud CamusRenaud Camusborn 1946 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  68. 68Jean AnouilhJean Anouilh1910–1987 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  69. 69Raymond QueneauRaymond Queneau1903–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers9 decades
  70. 70Jean RaspailJean Raspail1925–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  71. 71Elsa TrioletElsa Triolet1896–1970 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  72. 72Gabriel MatzneffGabriel Matzneffborn 1936 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  73. 73Maurice BéjartMaurice Béjart1927–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers7 decades
  74. 74Boualem SansalBoualem Sansalborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  75. 75Alfred JarryAlfred Jarry1873–1907 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers13 decades
  76. 76André MauroisAndré Maurois1885–1967 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  77. 77Jean d'OrmessonJean d'Ormesson1925–2017 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  78. 78Pierre BoullePierre Boulle1912–1994 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  79. 79Alain Robbe-GrilletAlain Robbe-Grillet1922–2008 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers8 decades
  80. 80Paul MorandPaul Morand1888–1976 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  81. 81Danielle MitterrandDanielle Mitterrand1924–2011 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  82. 82Daniel PennacDaniel Pennacborn 1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  83. 83Princess Marie BonapartePrincess Marie Bonaparte1882–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  84. 84Irène NémirovskyIrène Némirovsky1903–1942 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  85. 85Brigitte FontaineBrigitte Fontaineborn 1939 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  86. 86Robert BrasillachRobert Brasillach1909–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  87. 87FBFrançoise Bettencourt Meyersborn 1953 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  88. 88Marc LevyMarc Levyborn 1961 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  89. 89Pascal BrucknerPascal Brucknerborn 1948 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  90. 90Jean-Christophe RufinJean-Christophe Rufinborn 1952 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  91. 91Henri TroyatHenri Troyat1911–2007 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers5 decades
  92. 92Max JacobMax Jacob1876–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers11 decades
  93. 93Monique WittigMonique Wittig1935–2003 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  94. 94Robert MerleRobert Merle1908–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  95. 95Pierre Drieu La RochellePierre Drieu La Rochelle1893–1945 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  96. 96Maryse CondéMaryse Condé1934–2024 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  97. 97Henry de MontherlantHenry de Montherlant1895–1972 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers10 decades
  98. 98Henri BarbusseHenri Barbusse1873–1935 · 🇫🇷 France · Writers12 decades
  99. 99Philippe PetitPhilippe Petitborn 1949 · 🇫🇷 France · Writersnot measured—
  100. 100Raymond RadiguetRaymond Radiguet1903–1923 · 🇫🇷 France · 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.