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 Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.5
  22. 22Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  23. 23Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th 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. 40Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.0
  41. 41Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  42. 42HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0
  43. 43HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.0
  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. 66CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.79
  67. 67Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.79
  68. 68Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.79
  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, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.70
  86. 86HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.70
  87. 87Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.70
  88. 88Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.70
  89. 89Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.70
  90. 90Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.70
  91. 91Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.70
  92. 92Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.70
  93. 93Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 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. 1Angela MerkelAngela Merkelborn 1954 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  2. 2Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels1897–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  3. 3Konrad AdenauerKonrad Adenauer1876–1967 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  4. 4Ursula von der LeyenUrsula von der Leyenborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  5. 5Olaf ScholzOlaf Scholzborn 1958 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians2 decades
  6. 6Heinrich HimmlerHeinrich Himmler1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  7. 7Hermann GöringHermann Göring1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  8. 8Willy BrandtWilly Brandt1913–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  9. 9Helmut KohlHelmut Kohl1930–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  10. 10Frank-Walter SteinmeierFrank-Walter Steinmeierborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  11. 11Gerhard SchröderGerhard Schröderborn 1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  12. 12Friedrich MerzFriedrich Merzborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  13. 13Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger1923–2023 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  14. 14Adolf EichmannAdolf Eichmann1906–1962 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  15. 15Erich HoneckerErich Honecker1912–1994 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  16. 16Karl DönitzKarl Dönitz1891–1980 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  17. 17Reinhard HeydrichReinhard Heydrich1904–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  18. 18Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von Ribbentrop1893–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  19. 19Martin BormannMartin Bormann1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  20. 20Helmut SchmidtHelmut Schmidt1918–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  21. 21Franz von PapenFranz von Papen1879–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  22. 22Wilhelm KeitelWilhelm Keitel1882–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  23. 23Ernst RöhmErnst Röhm1887–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  24. 24Otto von HabsburgOtto von Habsburg1912–2011 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  25. 25Alfred JodlAlfred Jodl1890–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  26. 26Rudolf HössRudolf Höss1901–1947 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  27. 27Julius StreicherJulius Streicher1885–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  28. 28Hans FrankHans Frank1900–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians12 decades
  29. 29Friedrich EbertFriedrich Ebert1871–1925 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  30. 30Ernst ThälmannErnst Thälmann1886–1944 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  31. 31Gustav StresemannGustav Stresemann1878–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  32. 32Kurt von SchleicherKurt von Schleicher1882–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  33. 33Magda GoebbelsMagda Goebbels1901–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  34. 34Hjalmar SchachtHjalmar Schacht1877–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians11 decades
  35. 35Robert LeyRobert Ley1890–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  36. 36Baldur von SchirachBaldur von Schirach1907–1974 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  37. 37Richard von WeizsäckerRichard von Weizsäcker1920–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  38. 38Ludwig ErhardLudwig Erhard1897–1977 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians8 decades
  39. 39Wilhelm FrickWilhelm Frick1877–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians14 decades
  40. 40Joachim GauckJoachim Gauckborn 1940 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  41. 41Egon KrenzEgon Krenzborn 1937 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  42. 42Wilhelm, German Crown PrinceWilhelm, German Crown Prince1882–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  43. 43Kurt Georg KiesingerKurt Georg Kiesinger1904–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  44. 44Heinrich MüllerHeinrich Müller1900–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  45. 45Oskar LafontaineOskar Lafontaineborn 1943 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  46. 46Anton DrexlerAnton Drexler1884–1942 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  47. 47Roland FreislerRoland Freisler1893–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  48. 48Lutz Graf Schwerin von KrosigkLutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk1887–1977 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  49. 49Oskar DirlewangerOskar Dirlewanger1895–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  50. 50Sepp DietrichSepp Dietrich1892–1966 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  51. 51Wilhelm PieckWilhelm Pieck1876–1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  52. 52Gregor GysiGregor Gysiborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  53. 53Konstantin von NeurathKonstantin von Neurath1873–1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  54. 54Franz Josef StraußFranz Josef Strauß1915–1988 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Joschka FischerJoschka Fischerborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4 decades
  56. 56Christian WulffChristian Wulffborn 1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  57. 57Fritz SauckelFritz Sauckel1894–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  58. 58Hermann FegeleinHermann Fegelein1906–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Gregor StrasserGregor Strasser1892–1934 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  60. 60Horst WesselHorst Wessel1907–1930 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  61. 61Werner von BlombergWerner von Blomberg1878–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  62. 62Karl Hermann FrankKarl Hermann Frank1898–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  63. 63Horst KöhlerHorst Köhler1943–2025 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  64. 64Armin LaschetArmin Laschetborn 1961 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Alexander GaulandAlexander Gaulandborn 1941 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  66. 66Guido WesterwelleGuido Westerwelle1961–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  67. 67Erich MielkeErich Mielke1907–2000 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  68. 68Heinrich BrüningHeinrich Brüning1885–1970 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians9 decades
  69. 69Pavlo SkoropadskyPavlo Skoropadsky1873–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians1 decades
  70. 70Erhard MilchErhard Milch1892–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  71. 71Walter ScheelWalter Scheel1919–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  72. 72Manfred RommelManfred Rommel1928–2013 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Prince Maximilian of BadenPrince Maximilian of Baden1867–1929 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  74. 74Karl WolffKarl Wolff1900–1984 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Martin SchulzMartin Schulzborn 1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians4 decades
  76. 76Hasso von ManteuffelHasso von Manteuffel1897–1978 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  77. 77Hans-Dietrich GenscherHans-Dietrich Genscher1927–2016 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 decades
  78. 78Boris PistoriusBoris Pistoriusborn 1960 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  79. 79Hermann MüllerHermann Müller1876–1931 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians15 decades
  80. 80Petra KellyPetra Kelly1947–1992 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  81. 81Otto StrasserOtto Strasser1897–1974 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  82. 82Günter SchabowskiGünter Schabowski1929–2015 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  83. 83Paul von Lettow-VorbeckPaul von Lettow-Vorbeck1870–1964 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  84. 84Gudrun BurwitzGudrun Burwitz1929–2018 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  85. 85Gustav HeinemannGustav Heinemann1899–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians7 decades
  86. 86Johannes RauJohannes Rau1931–2006 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians5 decades
  87. 87Artur AxmannArtur Axmann1913–1996 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  88. 88Rudi DutschkeRudi Dutschke1940–1979 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Kurt DaluegeKurt Daluege1897–1946 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Alfred HugenbergAlfred Hugenberg1865–1951 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  91. 91Bodo RamelowBodo Ramelowborn 1956 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  92. 92Rupprecht, Crown Prince of BavariaRupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria1869–1955 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  93. 93Louis II, Prince of MonacoLouis II, Prince of Monaco1870–1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  94. 94Erich von dem Bach-ZelewskiErich von dem Bach-Zelewski1899–1972 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  95. 95Horst SeehoferHorst Seehoferborn 1949 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians3 decades
  96. 96Hans von SeecktHans von Seeckt1866–1936 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  97. 97Matthias ErzbergerMatthias Erzberger1875–1921 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  98. 98Sigmar GabrielSigmar Gabrielborn 1959 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  99. 99Winfried KretschmannWinfried Kretschmannborn 1948 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politiciansnot measured—
  100. 100Roman HerzogRoman Herzog1934–2017 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Politicians6 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.