Early Life and Education of Jordan Peterson: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jordan Peterson. A timeline of key moments.

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator known for his conservative-leaning views on cultural and political issues. While often described as conservative, Peterson identifies as a classical liberal and traditionalist. He gained prominence in the late 2010s, sparking significant debate and discussion.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1937: Birth of Walter Peterson

In 1937, Walter Peterson, Jordan Peterson's father, was born.

1939: Birth of Beverley Peterson

In 1939, Beverley Peterson, Jordan Peterson's mother, was born.

June 1962: Jordan Peterson Born

In June 1962, Jordan Bernt Peterson was born. Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator.

1979: Graduation from Fairview High School

In 1979, Peterson graduated from Fairview High School in Fairview, Alberta, and entered Grande Prairie Regional College.

1982: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

In 1982, Peterson completed his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in political science from the University of Alberta.

1984: BA in Psychology

In 1984, Peterson received a BA in psychology from the University of Alberta.

1985: Move to Montreal and Attendance at McGill University

In 1985, Peterson moved to Montreal to attend McGill University, where he pursued a PhD in clinical psychology.

1989: Marriage to Tammy Roberts

In 1989, Peterson married Tammy Roberts. They have a daughter named Mikhaila, after Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and a son named Julian.

1991: PhD in Clinical Psychology

In 1991, Peterson earned his PhD in clinical psychology from McGill University.

June 1993: End of Post-Doctoral Fellowship

In June 1993, Peterson completed his post-doctoral fellowship at McGill's Douglas Hospital, working with Pihl and Maurice Dongier.

July 1993: Teaching and Research at Harvard University

From July 1993, Peterson taught and conducted research at Harvard University as an assistant professor in the psychology department.

June 1998: Departure from Harvard University

In June 1998, Peterson concluded his time at Harvard University and returned to Canada to become a professor at the University of Toronto.

1998: Return to Canada and Professorship at University of Toronto

In 1998, Jordan Peterson returned to Canada after researching and teaching at Harvard University and became a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto.

2000: Collecting Soviet-era paintings

Around 2000, Peterson began collecting Soviet-era paintings.

2016: Honorary member of Kwakwakaʼwakw family

In 2016, Peterson became an honorary member of the extended family of Charles Joseph, a Kwakwakaʼwakw artist, and was given the name Alestalagie, meaning "Great Seeker".

2016: Diet Restriction

In 2016, Peterson restricted his diet to only meat and a few vegetables in an attempt to control his depression and the effects of an autoimmune disorder.

2016: Prescription of Clonazepam

In 2016, Peterson was prescribed clonazepam for anxiety that reportedly began after a "violent reaction to a meat and greens only diet". The dose started at 0.5 mg/day.

2017: Peterson's Religious Beliefs

In a 2017 interview, Peterson was asked if he was a Christian; he responded, "I suppose the most straight-forward answer to that is yes." When asked if he believes in God, Peterson responded: "I think the proper response to that is no, but I'm afraid he might exist." In a podcast with Douglas Murray and Jonathan Pageau, Peterson stated that God is the "ultimate fictional character" which is "at the top of the hierarchy of attention and action".

2018: Peterson Eats Only Beef, Salt, and Water

In mid-2018, Peterson stopped eating vegetables altogether and continued eating only beef, salt, and water.

2019: Health Problems Related to Benzodiazepine Dependence

In 2019, Peterson suffered health problems related to benzodiazepine dependence.

January 2020: Medically Induced Coma in Russia

In January 2020, Peterson flew to Moscow, Russia, after being unable to find North American doctors willing to place him into a medically induced coma as treatment for his addiction. Doctors in Russia reportedly diagnosed him with pneumonia in both lungs upon arrival and placed him into a medically induced coma for eight days, followed by four weeks in the intensive care unit, during which time he reported having suffered a temporary loss of motor skills.

June 2020: Public appearance after treatment

In June 2020, after several months of living in Belgrade, Serbia, Peterson made his first public appearance in over a year, appearing on an episode of his daughter's podcast recorded in Belgrade, at which point he was "back to [his] regular self".

August 2020: Contracted COVID-19

In August 2020, Peterson's daughter announced that her father had contracted COVID-19 during his hospital stay in Serbia.

2020: Clonazepam dosage increase

By 2020, Peterson's clonazepam dose had increased to 4 mg/day. Peterson attributed his increased usage of clonazepam to his wife Tammy's diagnosis of kidney cancer.

2020: Health problems related to benzodiazepine dependence

In 2020, Peterson continued to suffer health problems related to benzodiazepine dependence.

2020: Analysis of Lion Diet

In 2020, a New Republic article by Lindsay Beyerstein analyzed Mikhaila's "lion diet", consisting entirely of beef, salt, and water, and promotion thereof, describing her as a "nutrition 'influencer' with no medical credentials".