History of Jordan Peterson in Timeline

Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychologist, author, and commentator known for his views on cultural and political issues. Rising to prominence in the late 2010s, he's often labeled as conservative but identifies as a classical liberal and traditionalist. His work explores psychology, mythology, religion, and personal development, emphasizing individual responsibility and the importance of traditional values. Peterson gained significant attention for his opposition to certain aspects of political correctness and identity politics.

Sections (5)

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

1937: Walter Peterson Born

In 1937, Walter Peterson (1937–2024), Jordan Peterson's father, was born.

1939: Beverley Peterson Born

In 1939, Beverley Peterson (1939–2024), Jordan Peterson's mother, was born.

June 1962: Jordan Peterson Born

In June 1962, Jordan Bernt Peterson was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is the oldest of three siblings.

1979: Graduates from Fairview High School

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

1982: Completes BA in Political Science

In 1982, Jordan Peterson completed his BA in political science at the University of Alberta.

1984: Receives BA in Psychology

In 1984, Jordan Peterson returned to the University of Alberta and received a BA in psychology.

1985: Moves to Montreal to attend McGill University

In 1985, Jordan Peterson moved to Montreal to attend McGill University.

1989: Marriage to Tammy Roberts

In 1989, Jordan Peterson married Tammy Roberts.

1991: Earns PhD in Clinical Psychology

In 1991, Jordan Peterson earned his PhD in clinical psychology from McGill University under the supervision of Robert O. Pihl.

June 1993: Concludes Post-Doctoral Fellowship

In June 1993, Jordan Peterson concluded his post-doctoral fellowship at McGill's Douglas Hospital.

July 1993: Begins Teaching at Harvard University

In July 1993, Jordan Peterson began teaching and conducting research at Harvard University as an assistant professor in the psychology department.

June 1998: Leaves Harvard University

In June 1998, Jordan Peterson left his position at Harvard University and returned to Canada to become a full professor at the University of Toronto.

1998: Returns to Canada and joins University of Toronto

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

1999: Publishes 'Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief'

In 1999, Jordan Peterson published his first book, "Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief". The book combined psychology, mythology, religion, literature, philosophy and neuroscience to analyze systems of belief and meaning.

2000: Collection of Soviet-Era Paintings

Around 2000, Jordan Peterson began collecting Soviet-era paintings, using them as reminders of the dangers of totalitarian propaganda and oppression.

2003: Appearance on Big Ideas

In 2003, Jordan Peterson appeared on TVOntario's "Big Ideas", discussing psychological topics.

2004: Lecture Series on Maps of Meaning

In 2004, a 13-part lecture series by Jordan Peterson based on "Maps of Meaning" was aired on TVOntario.

2006: Further appearance on Big Ideas

In 2006, Jordan Peterson appeared on TVOntario's "Big Ideas", discussing psychological topics.

2007: Commentary on Tourette's and Musical Talent

In 2007, Jordan Peterson appeared in the BBC Horizon documentary "Mad but Glad", discussing the connection between Tourette's syndrome and musical talent, referencing pianist Nick van Bloss.

2011: Essayist and Panelist on The Agenda

From 2011, Jordan Peterson was featured as an essayist and panelist on TVOntario's "The Agenda", addressing culturally relevant psychological issues.

2013: Registers YouTube Channel

In 2013, Jordan Peterson registered a YouTube channel named JordanPetersonVideos, and immediately began uploading recordings of lectures and interviews.

2014: Uploads University of Toronto Class Recordings

From 2014, uploads include recordings from two of his classes at University of Toronto ("Personality and Its Transformations" and "Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief").

March 2016: Announces interest to clean and improve YouTube channel

In March 2016, after three years of basic uploading of course videos, Peterson announced an interest to clean existing content and improve future content on his YouTube channel.

August 2016: Increased Funding through Patreon

From early 2017, funding for Jordan Peterson's projects dramatically increased through his use of Patreon. In August 2016 Donations received range from $1,000 per month

September 2016: Releases Videos Criticizing Bill C-16

In September 2016, Jordan Peterson released a series of videos criticizing Bill C-16.

September 2016: Statement on preferred pronouns

In September 2016, Peterson addressed his stance on complying with requests to use preferred pronouns.

September 2016: Released lecture video series and refusal to use preferred pronouns

On 27 September 2016, Peterson released the first installment of a three-part lecture video series, entitled "Professor against political correctness: Part I: Fear and the Law". In the video, he stated that he would not use the preferred gender pronouns of students and faculty, alleging it fell under compelled speech and said that he opposed the Canadian government's Bill C-16.

December 2016: The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast Started

In December 2016, The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast was started. This marks the beginning of Peterson's foray into the podcasting world.

2016: Honorary Member of Kwakwakaʼwakw Family

In 2016, Jordan 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: Criticizes Bill C-16

In 2016, Jordan Peterson released a series of YouTube videos criticizing a Canadian law (Bill C-16) that prohibited discrimination against gender identity and expression. He argued that the bill would make the use of certain gender pronouns compelled speech.

2016: Dietary Restrictions for Health

In 2016, Jordan Peterson restricted his diet to meat and a few vegetables in an attempt to manage his depression and autoimmune issues.

2016: Initial Clonazepam Prescription

In 2016, Jordan Peterson was prescribed clonazepam for anxiety, starting at 0.5mg/day.

January 2017: Patreon Donations Reach $14,000

From early 2017, funding for Jordan Peterson's projects dramatically increased through his use of Patreon. In January 2017, donations increased to $14,000 per month

February 2017: Influence on Maxime Bernier's stance on Bill C-16

In February 2017, Maxime Bernier shifted his position on Bill C-16 to opposition after meeting and discussing it with Peterson.

April 2017: Denied SSHRC grant

In April 2017, Peterson was denied a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant, which he claimed was retaliation for his statements regarding Bill C-16.

May 2017: The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories Lecture Series

In May 2017, Peterson began The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories, a series of live theatre lectures, also published as podcasts, analyzing narratives in the Book of Genesis. This series explores behavioral patterns vital for personal, social, and cultural stability.

May 2017: Spoke against Bill C-16 at a Canadian Senate Committee

In May 2017, Peterson spoke against Bill C-16 at a Canadian Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs hearing, as one of 24 invited witnesses.

July 2017: Patreon Donations Reach $50,000

From early 2017, funding for Jordan Peterson's projects dramatically increased through his use of Patreon. By July 2017, donations increased to more than $50,000 per month

November 2017: Censure of Lindsay Shepherd for showing Peterson debate

In November 2017, Lindsay Shepherd was censured for showing a segment of The Agenda featuring Peterson debating Bill C-16. The censure was later withdrawn with apologies.

2017: Puts Clinical Practice on Hold

In 2017, Jordan Peterson decided to put his clinical practice on hold due to new projects.

2017: Views on Christianity and God

In 2017, Jordan Peterson, when asked if he was a Christian, responded affirmatively. However, when questioned about his belief in God, he expressed uncertainty. He described God as the "ultimate fictional character" in a podcast, also noting his impact on people's lives.

2017: Interview on self-censorship among journalists

In 2017, Peterson claimed in an interview with the Toronto Sun that a controversy around cultural appropriation had promoted self-censorship among journalists. He argued that censorship leads to deception.

2017: Proposed defunding of liberal arts programs

In 2017, Peterson proposed cutting funding for liberal arts programs in Canada, claiming students were being indoctrinated with "cultural Marxism". He specifically advised against subjects such as women's studies, sociology, and ethnic studies.

January 2018: Publishes '12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos'

In January 2018, Penguin Random House published Peterson's second book, "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos", which appeared on several best-seller lists.

February 2018: Agreement with the College of Psychologists of Ontario

In February 2018, Jordan Peterson entered into an agreement with the College of Psychologists of Ontario after a professional misconduct complaint about his communication and the boundaries he sets with his patients.

March 2018: Vox's Analysis of Peterson's Popularity

In March 2018, Zack Beauchamp of Vox offered an alternative explanation for Peterson's popularity.

May 2018: Patreon Donations Reach $80,000

From early 2017, funding for Jordan Peterson's projects dramatically increased through his use of Patreon. By May 2018, donations increased to over $80,000 per month.

June 2018: Debate with Sam Harris in Vancouver

In June 2018, Jordan Peterson debated Sam Harris on the topic of religion and God at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, moderated by Bret Weinstein.

June 2018: Lawsuit against Wilfrid Laurier University

In June 2018, Peterson filed a $1.5-million lawsuit against Wilfrid Laurier University, alleging defamation by staff members.

August 2018: YouTube channel reaches 1.8 million subscribers

As of August 2018, Jordan Peterson's YouTube channel gathered more than 1.8 million subscribers and his videos received more than 65 million views.

August 2018: Analysis of Peterson's Popularity

In August 2018, Caitlin Flanagan of The Atlantic discussed Peterson's popularity, mentioning his influence in the English-speaking world.

2018: Pauses Clinical Practice, Publishes '12 Rules for Life'

In 2018, Jordan Peterson paused both his clinical practice and teaching duties and published his second book, "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos", which became a bestseller.

2018: Temporarily Stops Teaching

In 2018, Jordan Peterson temporarily stopped teaching at the University of Toronto.

2018: Criticism of arguments and association with "intellectual dark web"

In 2018, Peterson's arguments on topics like postmodernism and gender identity were criticized as "conspiratorial". He was also associated with the "intellectual dark web".

2018: Debate on gender pay gap

In 2018, a Channel 4 News interview with Cathy Newman included a debate over the gender pay gap where Peterson claimed a "multivariate analysis of the pay gap indicates that it doesn't exist". Newman received criticism and was the victim of online harassment, which Peterson condemned.

2018: Opposition to identity politics

In a 2018 interview with Time magazine, Peterson expressed his opposition to identity politics, arguing that both the left and the right engage in it, and that it is dangerous. He advocated for individual responsibility.

2018: Adoption of Beef, Salt and Water Diet

In mid-2018, Jordan Peterson further restricted his diet, consuming only beef, salt, and water to manage his health.

January 2019: Deletes Patreon Account

In January 2019, Jordan Peterson deleted his Patreon account in public protest of the platform's controversial banning of anti-feminist content creator, Carl Benjamin.

March 2019: Cambridge University rescinded fellowship invitation

In March 2019, Cambridge University rescinded a visiting fellowship invitation to Peterson due to concerns over his association with someone wearing an "I'm a proud Islamophobe" shirt, conflicting with the university's commitment to interfaith dialogue. Vice-Chancellor Stephen Toope explained that the faculty rescinded the invitation due to a conflict between Peterson's "casual endorsement by association" and the school's commitment to interfaith dialogue.

March 2019: Podcast Joined Westwood One Network

In March 2019, The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast joined the Westwood One network, with Peterson's daughter co-hosting some episodes. This expanded the reach and format of the podcast.

April 2019: Debate with Slavoj Žižek in Toronto

In April 2019, Jordan Peterson debated Slavoj Žižek at the Sony Centre in Toronto over happiness under capitalism versus Marxism.

December 2019: Thinkspot in Beta Testing

In December 2019, Thinkspot, the new free speech–oriented social networking and crowdfunding platform created by Peterson and Dave Rubin, remained in beta testing and received largely negative reviews.

2019: Health Problems Related to Benzodiazepene Dependence

In 2019, Jordan Peterson suffered health problems related to benzodiazepene dependence.

January 2020: Treatment in Russia for Addiction

In January 2020, after being unable to find doctors in North America willing to perform a medically induced coma for his addiction, Jordan Peterson went to Moscow, Russia, for the procedure. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and placed in a coma for eight days.

June 2020: First Public Appearance After Treatment

In June 2020, Jordan Peterson made his first public appearance in over a year on his daughter's podcast, recorded in Belgrade, and reported feeling "back to my regular self".

August 2020: Contracting COVID-19

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

November 2020: Criticism of Peterson's Book by Penguin Random House Employees

On November 23, 2020, Peterson's publisher Penguin Random House Canada (PRH Canada) held an internal town hall where many employees criticized the decision to publish his book.

2020: Increased Clonazepam Dosage

By 2020, Jordan Peterson's clonazepam dosage had increased to 4mg/day, which he attributed to his wife Tammy's kidney cancer diagnosis.

2020: Health Problems Related to Benzodiazepene Dependence

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

2020: Analysis of Mikhaila's Lion Diet

In 2020, a New Republic article analyzed Mikhaila Peterson's "lion diet" and her role as a nutrition influencer.

2020: CPO Investigates Peterson's Statements

In March 2020 the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) investigated statements made by Peterson, concluding the investigation without making any orders but expressed concern about his tone.

March 2021: Release of 'Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life'

On March 2, 2021, Peterson's third book, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life, was released.

2021: Publishes 'Beyond Order', Resigns from University of Toronto, Returns to Podcasting

In 2021, Jordan Peterson published his third book, "Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life", resigned from the University of Toronto, and returned to podcasting.

2021: Retires from the University of Toronto

In the fall of 2021, Jordan Peterson retired from the University of Toronto, becoming professor emeritus.

January 2022: Statements Under Investigation

Between January 2022 and June 2022 the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a specified continuing education or remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.

January 2022: Interview on The Joe Rogan Experience

In January 2022, Peterson was interviewed by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience. During this appearance, Peterson stated that the Earth's climate is too complicated to accurately model, which led to criticism from climate scientists.

May 2022: Becomes Chancellor of Ralston College

In May 2022, Jordan Peterson became chancellor of the newly launched Ralston College, an unaccredited liberal arts education project.

June 2022: Statements Under Investigation

Between January 2022 and June 2022 the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a specified continuing education or remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.

June 2022: Deal with The Daily Wire

In June 2022, Peterson signed a deal with The Daily Wire, granting them distribution rights to his video and podcast library. This agreement includes Peterson producing bonus content and specials featuring guests for the video on demand platform DailyWire+.

June 2022: Twitter Account Suspended

On June 29 2022, Peterson's Twitter account was suspended under the site's "hateful conduct policy" after posting a tweet misgendering and deadnaming transgender actor Elliot Page, calling his physician "a criminal".

November 2022: Twitter Account Restored

In November 2022, Jordan Peterson's Twitter account was restored after Elon Musk acquired the company.

November 2022: Book of Exodus Lectures Released on DailyWire+

In November 2022, a second series of lectures on the Book of Exodus was released on DailyWire+. This continued Peterson's analysis of biblical stories.

November 2022: ICRC Orders Remedial Program

In November 2022, the ICRC ordered Peterson to complete a specified continuing education or remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements.

2022: Signs Deal with The Daily Wire, Becomes Chancellor of Ralston College

In 2022, Jordan Peterson signed a content distribution deal with the conservative media company The Daily Wire and became Chancellor of the newly launched Ralston College.

2022: Peterson as a Polarizing Figure

In 2022, Mick Brown wrote in The Daily Telegraph that Peterson "has become the most visible, outspoken and certainly the most polarising figure in the 'culture wars' between Left and Right, challenging the new orthodoxies of political correctness that have permeated academia, education, and political and cultural life."

2022: Olivia Wilde's Inspiration for "Don't Worry Darling" Character

In 2022, Olivia Wilde stated that the character Frank in her film "Don't Worry Darling" was inspired by Jordan Peterson, whom she described in unflattering terms. Peterson responded by criticizing the film and defending the term "incel".

2022: Climate change remarks on The Joe Rogan Experience

In 2022, Peterson made controversial statements about climate change on The Joe Rogan Experience, denying the accuracy of climate modeling and confusing it with weather forecasting, repeating disinformation from an "Exxon-funded climate denier" and falsely asserted that fracking has not polluted water supplies. These remarks were criticized by climate scientists.

2022: ICRC Decision on Peterson's Statements

In 2022, the ICRC's reasoning in their decision was transparent, intelligible, justifiable, and reasonable

June 2023: Founds Alliance for Responsible Citizenship

In June 2023, Jordan Peterson, along with Baroness Stroud and John Anderson, founded the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship.

August 2023: Appeal Reviewed by Ontario Divisional Court

In August 2023, Peterson's appeal was reviewed by a panel of three judges of the Ontario Divisional Court, who unanimously upheld the college's initial decision and ordered Peterson to pay the CPO $25,000 in legal costs.

November 2023: Alliance for Responsible Citizenship Conference

In November 2023, the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, an organization affiliated with Peterson, held a conference. The conference featured speakers who downplayed anthropogenic climate change and promoted fossil fuels, and was characterized by some as a platform for climate change denialism.

2023: Published "A Conservative Manifesto"

In 2023, Peterson published "A Conservative Manifesto", further solidifying his image in conservative media.

January 2024: Decision Upheld on Appeal

In January 2024, the Ontario Divisional Court decision was upheld on appeal to the Court of Appeal for Ontario.

August 2024: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal

In August 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal from the appeal court decision, closing Peterson's legal options for resisting the social media training.

October 2024: Trudeau Claims Peterson Funded by RT

In October 2024, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said under oath that Jordan Peterson was funded by Russian state-owned media outlet RT. Peterson responded by considering legal action.

November 2024: Publishes 'We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine'

On November 19, 2024, Jordan Peterson's fourth book, We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine, was published by Penguin Random House.

November 24, 2024: Criticism in The Guardian

On November 24, 2024, Martha Gill's Observer Column in The Guardian reiterated criticisms of Peterson, noting social dynamics facilitating his appeal and suggesting he was tapping into the self-improvement market among young men while advocating spirituality.