Ranking by Influence

The InfluenceRanking™ algorithm employs data from platforms like Wikipedia, Wikidata, Crossref, and Semantic Scholar to assess the impact of scientists and other academics on scholarly literature. While the specifics of the model aren't publicly accessible, their website provides insights akin to Google’s PageRank algorithm:

“In evaluating influence across disciplines, the InfluenceRanking engine steers clear of treating influence as merely a popularity contest. It doesn’t simply tally the number of mentions a person receives. Instead, it focuses on the convergence of name mentions and discipline mentions, rewarding the closeness of these intersections, tracking relevant hyperlinks, and evaluating the extent of digital space dedicated to these mentions.” — academicinfluence.com

Naturally, discussions about the ranking's accuracy are inevitable. Every model has its shortcomings, and objectivity regarding “influence” can be elusive. Since my previous article on The Greatest Mathematicians (linked below), I have learned that the team at academicinfluence.com is open to feedback on their rankings, which are updated regularly.

Below are some of the top-rated scientists in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science since the mid-19th century. It’s important to note that the ranking within each field doesn’t necessarily align with the overall ranking, as many scientists have made significant contributions across various domains.

Mathematics

• David Hilbert (#28 overall)
• Albert Einstein (#8 overall)
• Bernhard Riemann (#80 overall)

Physics

• Albert Einstein (#8 overall)
• Werner Heisenberg (#84 overall)
• Niels Bohr (#111 overall)

Chemistry

• Otto Hahn (#270 overall)
• Linus Pauling (#276 overall)
• Marie Curie (#205 overall)

Biology

• Charles Darwin (#11 overall)
• Francis Crick (#144 overall)
• Gregor Mendel (#223 overall)

Computer Science

• Alan Turing (#48 overall)
• Marvin Minsky (#181 overall)
• Donald Knuth (#173 overall)

Before 1850

Due to constraints of space and time, the visualization is limited to scientists who have been active since approximately 1850. However, if one were to consider the most influential individual of all time according to academicinfluence.com, it would be Aristotle (384–322 BC). It would have been intriguing to extend the timeline back far enough to encompass historical titans of science and mathematics such as Newton, Euler, Gauss, Galileo, and Linnaeus.

Beyond 1980

The timeline concludes at 1980, primarily because more recent scientists have not yet achieved significant rankings compared to their historical counterparts. This makes sense, as they have not had sufficient time to garner references in academic literature. However, if we were to extend the timeline to 2022, names like Andrew Wiles, Grigori Perelman, and Terence Tao would likely emerge as prominent figures in mathematics. What are your thoughts on this? I invite you to share your comments below.

Beyond Natural Sciences

Some influential figures could also be included under a broader definition of science, such as:

• Karl Marx (#4 overall)
• Immanuel Kant (#5 overall)
• Sigmund Freud (#9 overall)

Additionally, other renowned individuals in the top 20 rankings hail from literature (e.g., Shakespeare, Homer) and religion (e.g., Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha). Perhaps another visualization showcasing the complete all-time rankings could be a future project.

Limitations of the Ranking Model

Several individuals pointed out limitations in the ranking model in response to my previous article on The Greatest Mathematicians. Relevant limitations include:

• As noted, recent scientists tend to rank lower than historical figures due to the time required for academic references to accumulate.
• The rankings appear to favor American and European scientists, likely reflecting the source data's geographical bias.
• There is a noticeable underrepresentation of female scientists, which stems from historical biases in academic literature.

Again, I welcome your insights in the comments section below.

Creating this visualization was an enjoyable experience, yet it evokes mixed emotions. Inspiration, admiration, and curiosity intermingle with feelings of inadequacy about my own life. There’s a recognition that while some scientists bask in glory, others who are equally deserving remain in the shadows.

We may not all reach the heights of Einsteins and Turings, but it is uplifting to look up to heroes from the past—mythological or otherwise—as we strive to make our own small contributions to the world.