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. 14WarmWarm1840–1924 · 19th century · Scientists2.0
  15. 15EuclidEuclid333 BC–285 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics1.9
  16. 16PinkPinkborn 1979 · 21st century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.6
  17. 17AAcmedied 5 BC · 1st millennium BC1.6
  18. 18Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson1743–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.6
  19. 19IUIUborn 1993 · 21st century · 🇰🇷 South Korea · Musicians1.6
  20. 20OvidOvid43 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers1.6
  21. 21MadonnaMadonnaborn 1958 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Musicians1.5
  22. 22Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th century · Historical Figures1.5
  23. 23Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  24. 24Charles II, Duke of SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.5
  25. 25Mark TwainMark Twain1835–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.5
  26. 26PlutarchPlutarch40–120 · 1st century · Academics1.5
  27. 27CleopatraCleopatra69 BC–30 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Historical Figures1.4
  28. 28Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858–1919 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  29. 29Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson1856–1924 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.4
  30. 30William HenryWilliam Henry1774–1836 · 19th century · Scientists1.3
  31. 31Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin1706–1790 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.3
  32. 32HerodotusHerodotus484 BC–425 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Writers1.3
  33. 33CharlemagneCharlemagne748–814 · 8th century · Historical Figures1.3
  34. 34RembrandtRembrandt1606–1669 · 17th century · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists1.3
  35. 35EuripidesEuripides480 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.2
  36. 36PocahontasPocahontas1596–1617 · 17th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers1.1
  37. 37John BrownJohn Brown1800–1859 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders1.1
  38. 38John SmithJohn Smith1580–1631 · 17th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Historical Figures1.0
  39. 39Adam SmithAdam Smith1723–1790 · 18th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Academics1.0
  40. 40Henry IV, Duke of BrabantHenry IV, Duke of Brabant1251–1272 · 13th century1.0
  41. 41Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.0
  42. 42Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  43. 43HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0
  44. 44HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.0
  45. 45Henry IV, Count of LuxembourgHenry IV, Count of Luxembourg1113–1196 · 12th century · Politicians1.0
  46. 46John AdamsJohn Adams1735–1826 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians1.0
  47. 47SophoclesSophocles496 BC–406 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers1.0
  48. 48Henry JamesHenry James1843–1916 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Writers0.99
  49. 49GalenGalen129–300 · 2nd century · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Doctors0.97
  50. 50Walter ScottWalter Scott1771–1832 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.95
  51. 51LivyLivy59 BC–17 · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Writers0.95
  52. 52BedeBede672–735 · 8th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.94
  53. 53John the BaptistJohn the Baptist6 BC–30 · 1st century · 🇮🇱 Israel · Religious Figures0.93
  54. 54SolonSolon630 BC–560 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.93
  55. 55Prince George, Duke of CumberlandPrince George, Duke of Cumberland1653–1708 · 17th century0.90
  56. 56PericlesPericles494 BC–429 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.89
  57. 57John HenryJohn Henry1322–1375 · 14th century0.87
  58. 58Julius CaesarJulius Caesar100 BC–44 BC · 1st millennium BC · 🇮🇹 Italy · Politicians0.86
  59. 59Winston ChurchillWinston Churchill1874–1965 · 20th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Politicians0.86
  60. 60William JamesWilliam James1842–1910 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.86
  61. 61HadrianHadrian76–138 · 2nd century · 🇪🇸 Spain · Historical Figures0.83
  62. 62Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson1767–1845 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.83
  63. 63ThucydidesThucydides460 BC–395 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.83
  64. 64Henry FordHenry Ford1863–1947 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Founders0.81
  65. 65AristophanesAristophanes445 BC–385 BC · 1st millennium BC · Writers0.79
  66. 66Charles I, Duke of SavoyCharles I, Duke of Savoy1468–1490 · 15th century0.79
  67. 67CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.79
  68. 68Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.79
  69. 69Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.79
  70. 70Charles I, Count of NeversCharles I, Count of Nevers1414–1464 · 15th century · Historical Figures0.79
  71. 71AAbababorn 200 · 3rd century0.78
  72. 72OrigenOrigen185–254 · 3rd century · 🇪🇬 Egypt · Academics0.76
  73. 73George EliotGeorge Eliot1819–1880 · 19th century · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Writers0.75
  74. 74DemosthenesDemosthenes384 BC–322 BC · 1st millennium BC · Politicians0.75
  75. 75John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy1917–1963 · 20th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.75
  76. 76Brigham YoungBrigham Young1801–1877 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Academics0.75
  77. 77XenophonXenophon430 BC–354 BC · 1st millennium BC · Academics0.73
  78. 78Henry VI, Count of LuxembourgHenry VI, Count of Luxembourg1240–1288 · 13th century · Politicians0.72
  79. 79HVHenry VI, Count of Waldeck1340–1397 · 14th century0.72
  80. 80Henry VIHenry VI1376–1454 · 15th century0.72
  81. 81William PennWilliam Penn1644–1718 · 17th century · Founders0.71
  82. 82Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton1757–1804 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.71
  83. 83Henry IIHenry II1207–1248 · 13th century · 🇫🇷 France · Politicians0.70
  84. 84Henry II, Holy Roman EmperorHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor973–1024 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures0.70
  85. 85Henry II , Duke of Lower LorraineHenry II , Duke of Lower Lorraine1059–1119 · 11th century0.70
  86. 86Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.70
  87. 87HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.70
  88. 88Henry II, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.70
  89. 89Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.70
  90. 90Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.70
  91. 91Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.70
  92. 92Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 14th century0.70
  93. 93Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.70
  94. 94Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.70
  95. 95Richard IIRichard II963–1026 · 10th century · 🇫🇷 France0.69
  96. 96John MarshallJohn Marshall1755–1835 · 18th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  97. 97Henry ClayHenry Clay1777–1852 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  98. 98Jefferson DavisJefferson Davis1808–1889 · 19th century · 🇺🇸 United States · Politicians0.67
  99. 99James I, Count of UrgellJames I, Count of Urgell1321–1347 · 14th century0.67
  100. 100OsceolaOsceola1804–1838 · 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. 1Ingrid BergmanIngrid Bergman1915–1982 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors8 decades
  2. 2Astrid LindgrenAstrid Lindgren1907–2002 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers6 decades
  3. 3Carl XVI Gustaf of SwedenCarl XVI Gustaf of Swedenborn 1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  4. 4Ingmar BergmanIngmar Bergman1918–2007 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Directors6 decades
  5. 5Greta GarboGreta Garbo1905–1990 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors10 decades
  6. 6Agnetha FältskogAgnetha Fältskogborn 1950 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  7. 7Björn BorgBjörn Borgborn 1956 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Tennis Players0 decades
  8. 8Dolph LundgrenDolph Lundgrenborn 1957 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors0 decades
  9. 9Anni-Frid LyngstadAnni-Frid Lyngstadborn 1945 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  10. 10Stellan SkarsgårdStellan Skarsgårdborn 1951 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors0 decades
  11. 11Max von SydowMax von Sydow1929–2020 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors6 decades
  12. 12Tove JanssonTove Jansson1914–2001 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  13. 13Björn UlvaeusBjörn Ulvaeusborn 1945 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  14. 14Olof PalmeOlof Palme1927–1986 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians5 decades
  15. 15Benny AnderssonBenny Anderssonborn 1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians0 decades
  16. 16Ulf KristerssonUlf Kristerssonborn 1963 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  17. 17Ann-MargretAnn-Margretborn 1941 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors6 decades
  18. 18Dag HammarskjöldDag Hammarskjöld1905–1961 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians7 decades
  19. 19Gustaf VI Adolf of SwedenGustaf VI Adolf of Sweden1882–1973 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  20. 20Stieg LarssonStieg Larsson1954–2004 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers1 decades
  21. 21Princess Märtha of SwedenPrincess Märtha of Sweden1901–1954 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  22. 22Queen Silvia of SwedenQueen Silvia of Swedenborn 1943 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  23. 23Anita EkbergAnita Ekberg1931–2015 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors4 decades
  24. 24Marie FredrikssonMarie Fredriksson1958–2019 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  25. 25Sven-Göran ErikssonSven-Göran Eriksson1948–2024 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballers0 decades
  26. 26Ingvar KampradIngvar Kamprad1926–2018 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Founders1 decades
  27. 27Britt EklandBritt Eklandborn 1942 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actors1 decades
  28. 28Lena OlinLena Olinborn 1955 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  29. 29Raoul WallenbergRaoul Wallenbergborn 1912 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Architects4 decades
  30. 30Yngwie MalmsteenYngwie Malmsteenborn 1963 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  31. 31Mats WilanderMats Wilanderborn 1964 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Tennis Players0 decades
  32. 32Astrid of SwedenAstrid of Sweden1905–1935 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figures0 decades
  33. 33Keke RosbergKeke Rosbergborn 1948 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Athletes0 decades
  34. 34Ingrid of SwedenIngrid of Sweden1910–2000 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  35. 35Prince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of VästerbottenPrince Gustaf Adolf, Duke of Västerbotten1906–1947 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  36. 36Michael NyqvistMichael Nyqvist1960–2017 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  37. 37Björn AndrésenBjörn Andrésen1955–2025 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  38. 38Folke BernadotteFolke Bernadotte1895–1948 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  39. 39Henning MankellHenning Mankell1948–2015 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers1 decades
  40. 40Per "Dead" OhlinPer "Dead" Ohlin1969–1991 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  41. 41Neneh CherryNeneh Cherryborn 1964 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  42. 42Gunnar NordahlGunnar Nordahl1921–1995 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballers0 decades
  43. 43Per GesslePer Gessleborn 1959 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  44. 44Anna LindhAnna Lindh1957–2003 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians1 decades
  45. 45Nils LiedholmNils Liedholm1922–2007 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballersnot measured—
  46. 46Lasse HallströmLasse Hallströmborn 1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Directorsnot measured—
  47. 47Maud AdamsMaud Adamsborn 1945 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  48. 48Ronnie PetersonRonnie Peterson1944–1978 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Athletesnot measured—
  49. 49Stefan LöfvenStefan Löfvenborn 1957 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  50. 50Bibi AnderssonBibi Andersson1935–2019 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  51. 51Carl BildtCarl Bildtborn 1949 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians3 decades
  52. 52Inger NilssonInger Nilssonborn 1959 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  53. 53Princess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and GothaPrincess Sibylla of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha1908–1972 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  54. 54Princess Margaretha, Mrs. AmblerPrincess Margaretha, Mrs. Amblerborn 1934 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  55. 55Joey TempestJoey Tempestborn 1963 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  56. 56Christer FuglesangChrister Fuglesangborn 1957 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientistsnot measured—
  57. 57Mikael PersbrandtMikael Persbrandtborn 1963 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  58. 58Ingvar CarlssonIngvar Carlssonborn 1934 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  59. 59Princess Christina, Mrs. MagnusonPrincess Christina, Mrs. Magnusonborn 1943 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  60. 60Mikkey DeeMikkey Deeborn 1963 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  61. 61Zarah LeanderZarah Leander1907–1981 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  62. 62Princess Birgitta of SwedenPrincess Birgitta of Sweden1937–2024 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  63. 63Svante PääboSvante Pääboborn 1955 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Scientists1 decades
  64. 64Tage ErlanderTage Erlander1901–1985 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  65. 65Ingrid ThulinIngrid Thulin1929–2004 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  66. 66Pernilla AugustPernilla Augustborn 1958 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  67. 67John BauerJohn Bauer1882–1918 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  68. 68Sven HedinSven Hedin1865–1952 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artists13 decades
  69. 69Göran PerssonGöran Perssonborn 1949 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politicians0 decades
  70. 70Kurt HamrinKurt Hamrin1934–2024 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballersnot measured—
  71. 71Glenn StrömbergGlenn Strömbergborn 1960 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballersnot measured—
  72. 72Hans BlixHans Blixborn 1928 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  73. 73Jan GuillouJan Guillouborn 1944 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  74. 74Per Albin HanssonPer Albin Hansson1885–1946 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  75. 75Claes OldenburgClaes Oldenburg1929–2022 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Artistsnot measured—
  76. 76Carin GöringCarin Göring1888–1931 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  77. 77Désirée SilfverschiöldDésirée Silfverschiöld1938–2026 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Historical Figuresnot measured—
  78. 78Ingemar JohanssonIngemar Johansson1932–2009 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Athletesnot measured—
  79. 79Janet ÅgrenJanet Ågrenborn 1949 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  80. 80Harry MartinsonHarry Martinson1904–1978 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  81. 81Hans RoslingHans Rosling1948–2017 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Doctorsnot measured—
  82. 82Pia CramlingPia Cramlingborn 1963 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  83. 83May BrittMay Britt1934–2025 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  84. 84Birgit NilssonBirgit Nilsson1918–2005 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musicians6 decades
  85. 85Siw MalmkvistSiw Malmkvistborn 1936 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  86. 86Pär LagerkvistPär Lagerkvist1891–1974 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  87. 87Roy AnderssonRoy Anderssonborn 1943 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Directorsnot measured—
  88. 88Herbert BlomstedtHerbert Blomstedtborn 1927 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Musiciansnot measured—
  89. 89Lennart JohanssonLennart Johansson1929–2019 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Politiciansnot measured—
  90. 90Thomas RavelliThomas Ravelliborn 1959 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballersnot measured—
  91. 91Karin BoyeKarin Boye1900–1941 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  92. 92Lars LagerbäckLars Lagerbäckborn 1948 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballersnot measured—
  93. 93Mai ZetterlingMai Zetterling1925–1994 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Actorsnot measured—
  94. 94Prince Bertil, Duke of HallandPrince Bertil, Duke of Halland1912–1997 · 🇸🇪 Swedennot measured—
  95. 95Janne AnderssonJanne Anderssonborn 1962 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Footballersnot measured—
  96. 96Ingemar StenmarkIngemar Stenmarkborn 1956 · 🇸🇪 Sweden0 decades
  97. 97Stig DagermanStig Dagerman1923–1954 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writersnot measured—
  98. 98Tomas TranströmerTomas Tranströmer1931–2015 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Writers0 decades
  99. 99Börje SalmingBörje Salming1951–2022 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Athletesnot measured—
  100. 100Gunnar MyrdalGunnar Myrdal1898–1987 · 🇸🇪 Sweden · Academics8 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.