Early Life and Education of Larry Summers: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Larry Summers. From birth to education, explore key events.

Lawrence Henry Summers is an American economist who has held several prominent positions including U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, President of Harvard University, and Director of the National Economic Council. Currently a professor at Harvard Kennedy School, he is on leave from his teaching responsibilities and role as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government as of November 19, 2025, due to an investigation into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein.

Sections (5)

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

November 30, 1954: Lawrence Henry Summers Born

On November 30, 1954, Lawrence Henry Summers was born. He is an American economist who later served in high-profile government and academic positions.

1975: Graduation from MIT

In 1975, Lawrence Summers graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a degree in economics.

1982: Received Ph.D. from Harvard University

In 1982, Lawrence Summers received his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

1983: Diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Around 1983, Summers was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, underwent treatment, and has remained cancer-free.

1983: Professor of Economics at Harvard University

In 1983, Lawrence Summers became a professor of economics at Harvard University.

1983: Tenured Professor at Harvard

In 1983, at age 28, Lawrence Summers became one of the youngest tenured professors in Harvard's history.

1987: Visiting Academic at London School of Economics

In 1987, Lawrence Summers was a visiting academic at the London School of Economics.

February 2004: Winklevoss Twins Request Intervention from Summers

In February 2004, the Winklevoss twins requested a meeting with Larry Summers to intervene in their dispute with Mark Zuckerberg over the idea for Facebook. Summers declined, advising them to take their complaint to the courts.

December 2005: Marriage to Elisa New and Honeymoon

In December 2005, Summers married English professor Elisa New at Elmwood and spent his honeymoon on Jeffrey Epstein's island.

April 2016: Call to Remain in the European Union

In April 2016, Summers was one of eight former Treasury secretaries who called on the United Kingdom to remain a member of the European Union ahead of the June 2016 Referendum.

June 2016: Brexit Referendum

In June 2016, Summers was one of eight former Treasury secretaries who called on the United Kingdom to remain a member of the European Union ahead of the June 2016 Referendum.

June 2016: Summers on Trump's Election

In June 2016, Summers wrote that the risks to the US and global economies of Mr. Trump's election as president were far greater than the passage of Brexit, and he expected a protracted recession within 18 months if Trump were elected.

June 23, 2016: Summers on Brexit Vote

On June 23, 2016, Summers described the United Kingdom's Brexit vote in favor of leaving the European Union as the "worst self-inflicted policy wound that a country has done since the Second World War". He also called for "responsible nationalism" in response to public sentiment.