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 SavoyCharles II, Duke of Savoy1489–1496 · 15th century · Historical Figures1.5
  23. 23Charles II, Lord of MonacoCharles II, Lord of Monaco1555–1589 · 16th century · Politicians1.5
  24. 24Charles II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsCharles II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1545–1617 · 16th 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. 41HIHenry IV, Count of Waldeck1300–1348 · 14th century1.0
  42. 42Henry IV, Duke of LimburgHenry IV, Duke of Limburg1195–1247 · 13th century · Historical Figures1.0
  43. 43HIHenry IV, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg1463–1514 · 15th century · 🇩🇪 Germany1.0
  44. 44Henry IV, Holy Roman EmperorHenry IV, Holy Roman Emperor1050–1106 · 11th century · 🇩🇪 Germany · Historical Figures1.0
  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. 67Charles I, Landgrave of Hesse-PhilippsthalCharles I, Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal1682–1770 · 18th century0.79
  68. 68Charles I, Count of FlandersCharles I, Count of Flanders1084–1127 · 12th century · Politicians0.79
  69. 69CICharles I1516–1576 · 16th century · Historical Figures0.79
  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, Duke of ZiębiceHenry II, Duke of Ziębice1396–1420 · 15th century0.70
  87. 87Henry II, Count of Holstein-RendsburgHenry II, Count of Holstein-Rendsburg1317–1390 · 14th century0.70
  88. 88Henry II, Count of ChampagneHenry II, Count of Champagne1166–1197 · 12th century · 🇫🇷 France · Historical Figures0.70
  89. 89Henry II, Duke of Münsterberg-OelsHenry II, Duke of Münsterberg-Oels1507–1548 · 16th century0.70
  90. 90HIHenry II, Margrave of the Nordmark1102–1128 · 12th century0.70
  91. 91Henry II, Duke of Brunswick-GrubenhagenHenry II, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen1289–1351 · 14th century · Historical Figures0.70
  92. 92Henry II, Prince of Anhalt-AscherslebenHenry II, Prince of Anhalt-Aschersleben1215–1266 · 13th century · Historical Figures0.70
  93. 93Henry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-StendalHenry II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Stendal1308–1320 · 14th century · Models0.70
  94. 94Henry II, Duke of ŚwidnicaHenry II, Duke of Świdnica1312–1345 · 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. 1Frida KahloFrida Kahlo1907–1954 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Artists8 decades
  2. 2Pablo PicassoPablo Picasso1881–1973 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists10 decades
  3. 3Salvador DalíSalvador Dalí1904–1989 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists10 decades
  4. 4Andy WarholAndy Warhol1928–1987 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  5. 5Henri MatisseHenri Matisse1869–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists12 decades
  6. 6KandinskyKandinsky1866–1944 · Artists4 decades
  7. 7Wassily KandinskyWassily Kandinsky1866–1944 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  8. 8Yoko OnoYoko Onoborn 1933 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists5 decades
  9. 9Marc ChagallMarc Chagall1887–1985 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  10. 10Eva BraunEva Braun1912–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists8 decades
  11. 11Jackson PollockJackson Pollock1912–1956 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists7 decades
  12. 12René MagritteRené Magritte1898–1967 · Artists8 decades
  13. 13Marina AbramovićMarina Abramovićborn 1946 · Artists1 decades
  14. 14Akira ToriyamaAkira Toriyama1955–2024 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists0 decades
  15. 15Yayoi KusamaYayoi Kusama1929–2026 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists2 decades
  16. 16Stephen HillenburgStephen Hillenburg1961–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists0 decades
  17. 17Joan MiróJoan Miró1893–1983 · 🇪🇸 Spain · Artists9 decades
  18. 18Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe1887–1986 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists9 decades
  19. 19Jean-Michel BasquiatJean-Michel Basquiat1960–1988 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  20. 20M. C. EscherM. C. Escher1898–1972 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists2 decades
  21. 21Marcel DuchampMarcel Duchamp1887–1968 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists10 decades
  22. 22Amedeo ModiglianiAmedeo Modigliani1884–1920 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists10 decades
  23. 23Mark RothkoMark Rothko1903–1970 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  24. 24Piet MondrianPiet Mondrian1872–1944 · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · Artists7 decades
  25. 25Egon SchieleEgon Schiele1890–1918 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists10 decades
  26. 26Keith HaringKeith Haring1958–1990 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists4 decades
  27. 27René GoscinnyRené Goscinny1926–1977 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists5 decades
  28. 28Max ErnstMax Ernst1891–1976 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists12 decades
  29. 29Paul KleePaul Klee1879–1940 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists11 decades
  30. 30Man RayMan Ray1890–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists10 decades
  31. 31Pierre BonnardPierre Bonnard1867–1947 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists13 decades
  32. 32Bob RossBob Ross1942–1995 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  33. 33Osamu TezukaOsamu Tezuka1928–1989 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artists2 decades
  34. 34John Wayne GacyJohn Wayne Gacy1942–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  35. 35Jack KirbyJack Kirby1917–1994 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  36. 36David HockneyDavid Hockney1937–2026 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists5 decades
  37. 37Lee MillerLee Miller1907–1977 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  38. 38Stuart SutcliffeStuart Sutcliffe1940–1962 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists0 decades
  39. 39Edward HopperEdward Hopper1882–1967 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists10 decades
  40. 40Linda McCartneyLinda McCartney1941–1998 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  41. 41Agnès VardaAgnès Varda1928–2019 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  42. 42Kazimir MalevichKazimir Malevich1879–1935 · Artists4 decades
  43. 43Ai WeiweiAi Weiweiborn 1957 · 🇨🇳 China · Artists2 decades
  44. 44Norman RockwellNorman Rockwell1894–1978 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists10 decades
  45. 45Abdulmejid IIAbdulmejid II1868–1944 · 🇹🇷 Turkey · Artistsnot measured—
  46. 46Lucian FreudLucian Freud1922–2011 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists4 decades
  47. 47Ansel AdamsAnsel Adams1902–1984 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists9 decades
  48. 48Alexey LeonovAlexey Leonov1934–2019 · Artists6 decades
  49. 49Lili ElbeLili Elbe1882–1931 · Artistsnot measured—
  50. 50Friedensreich HundertwasserFriedensreich Hundertwasser1928–2000 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists5 decades
  51. 51Amrita Sher-GilAmrita Sher-Gil1913–1941 · Artists0 decades
  52. 52Robert CapaRobert Capa1913–1954 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  53. 53Otto DixOtto Dix1891–1969 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists10 decades
  54. 54Fernando BoteroFernando Botero1932–2023 · Artists8 decades
  55. 55Niki de Saint PhalleNiki de Saint Phalle1930–2002 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  56. 56Charles M. SchulzCharles M. Schulz1922–2000 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  57. 57Gerhard RichterGerhard Richterborn 1932 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists9 decades
  58. 58Cynthia LennonCynthia Lennon1939–2015 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artistsnot measured—
  59. 59Tamara de LempickaTamara de Lempicka1898–1980 · Artistsnot measured—
  60. 60Annie LeibovitzAnnie Leibovitzborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists3 decades
  61. 61Laurie AndersonLaurie Andersonborn 1947 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists4 decades
  62. 62Sophie, Duchess of HohenbergSophie, Duchess of Hohenberg1868–1914 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artistsnot measured—
  63. 63Alberto GiacomettiAlberto Giacometti1901–1966 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artists7 decades
  64. 64Käthe KollwitzKäthe Kollwitz1867–1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists12 decades
  65. 65Nicholas RoerichNicholas Roerich1874–1947 · Artists7 decades
  66. 66Henry MooreHenry Moore1898–1986 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artists13 decades
  67. 67Roy LichtensteinRoy Lichtenstein1923–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists6 decades
  68. 68Leonora CarringtonLeonora Carrington1917–2011 · 🇲🇽 Mexico · Artistsnot measured—
  69. 69H. R. GigerH. R. Giger1940–2014 · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · Artistsnot measured—
  70. 70Gary RidgwayGary Ridgwayborn 1949 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  71. 71Constantin BrâncușiConstantin Brâncuși1876–1957 · Artistsnot measured—
  72. 72Zdzisław BeksińskiZdzisław Beksiński1929–2005 · Artistsnot measured—
  73. 73BalthusBalthus1908–2001 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  74. 74Henri Cartier-BressonHenri Cartier-Bresson1908–2004 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists7 decades
  75. 75Jeff KoonsJeff Koonsborn 1955 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  76. 76Marie of RomaniaMarie of Romania1875–1938 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artistsnot measured—
  77. 77Alexander CalderAlexander Calder1898–1976 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists9 decades
  78. 78Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of SnowdonAntony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon1930–2017 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artistsnot measured—
  79. 79Giorgio de ChiricoGiorgio de Chirico1888–1978 · 🇮🇹 Italy · Artists10 decades
  80. 80Margaret KeaneMargaret Keane1927–2022 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  81. 81Joseph BeuysJoseph Beuys1921–1986 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists6 decades
  82. 82Georges BraqueGeorges Braque1882–1963 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists11 decades
  83. 83Anish KapoorAnish Kapoorborn 1954 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artistsnot measured—
  84. 84Robert MapplethorpeRobert Mapplethorpe1946–1989 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  85. 85Willem de KooningWillem de Kooning1904–1997 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artists7 decades
  86. 86Diane ArbusDiane Arbus1923–1971 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  87. 87Louise BourgeoisLouise Bourgeois1911–2010 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  88. 88Takashi MurakamiTakashi Murakamiborn 1962 · 🇯🇵 Japan · Artistsnot measured—
  89. 89Evel KnievelEvel Knievel1938–2007 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  90. 90Oskar KokoschkaOskar Kokoschka1886–1980 · 🇦🇹 Austria · Artists11 decades
  91. 91Franz MarcFranz Marc1880–1916 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists11 decades
  92. 92Yves KleinYves Klein1928–1962 · 🇫🇷 France · Artistsnot measured—
  93. 93Steve DitkoSteve Ditko1927–2018 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  94. 94Anselm KieferAnselm Kieferborn 1945 · 🇩🇪 Germany · Artists4 decades
  95. 95Andrew WyethAndrew Wyeth1917–2009 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  96. 96Julian SchnabelJulian Schnabelborn 1951 · 🇺🇸 United States · Artistsnot measured—
  97. 97Tom of FinlandTom of Finland1920–1991 · Artistsnot measured—
  98. 98Tracey EminTracey Eminborn 1963 · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Artistsnot measured—
  99. 99Albert UderzoAlbert Uderzo1927–2020 · 🇫🇷 France · Artists4 decades
  100. 100Sebastião SalgadoSebastião Salgado1944–2025 · 🇧🇷 Brazil · Artistsnot 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.