History of Michael Pollan in Timeline

Michael Pollan is an American journalist and professor at Harvard University and UC Berkeley, where he co-founded the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. He's renowned for his explorations of the cultural and social ramifications of food, specifically how we produce, consume, and think about it. His notable works, including "The Botany of Desire" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma," delve into the complex relationships between humans and the natural world, influencing perspectives on food systems and ethical eating.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 6, 1955: Michael Pollan Born

On February 6, 1955, Michael Kevin Pollan was born. He is an American journalist, professor, and author known for his works on the socio-cultural impacts of food and, more recently, psychedelics.

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1975: Studied at Mansfield College, Oxford

In 1975, Michael Pollan studied at Mansfield College, Oxford.

1977: Received B.A. in English from Bennington College

In 1977, Michael Pollan received a B.A. in English from Bennington College.

1981: Received M.A. in English from Columbia University

In 1981, Michael Pollan received an M.A. in English from Columbia University.

1990: Article in "Best American Essays" and "The Norton Book of Nature Writing"

In 1990, one of Michael Pollan's articles was anthologized in "Best American Essays" and "The Norton Book of Nature Writing".

1991: Publication of "Second Nature: A Gardener's Education"

In 1991, Michael Pollan's first book, "Second Nature: A Gardener's Education," was published.

1998: Publication of "A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder"

In 1998, Michael Pollan's book "A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder" was published.

2001: Publication of "The Botany of Desire"

In 2001, Michael Pollan published "The Botany of Desire", a book exploring the socio-cultural impacts of food.

2003: James Beard Foundation Awards for best magazine series

In 2003, Michael Pollan won the James Beard Foundation Awards for best magazine series.

2004: Article in "Best American Science Writing"

In 2004, one of Michael Pollan's articles was anthologized in "Best American Science Writing".

December 10, 2006: "The Omnivore's Dilemma" named one of the five best nonfiction books of the year by The New York Times

On December 10, 2006, The New York Times named Michael Pollan's book "The Omnivore's Dilemma" one of the five best nonfiction books of the year.

2006: Publication of "The Omnivore's Dilemma"

In 2006, Michael Pollan published "The Omnivore's Dilemma", a book exploring the socio-cultural impacts of food.

2006: Article in "The Animals: Practicing Complexity"

In 2006, one of Michael Pollan's articles was anthologized in "The Animals: Practicing Complexity".

May 8, 2007: "The Omnivore's Dilemma" wins James Beard Foundation Award

On May 8, 2007, the James Beard Foundation named "The Omnivore's Dilemma" as its 2007 winner for the best food writing.

2007: Appearance in "King Corn" documentary

In 2007, Michael Pollan appeared in the documentary film "King Corn".

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January 1, 2008: Release of "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto"

On January 1, 2008, Michael Pollan's book, "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" was released. The book explores the relationship with nutritionism and the Western diet.

2008: Co-starred in "Food, Inc."

In 2008, Michael Pollan co-starred in the documentary "Food, Inc.", for which he was also a consultant.

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2008: Received Washington University International Humanities Medal

In 2008, Michael Pollan received the Washington University International Humanities Medal.

2008: Re-release of "A Place of My Own" as "A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams"

In 2008, Michael Pollan's book "A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder" was re-released as "A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams".

2009: Publication of "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual"

In 2009, Michael Pollan's "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual" was published, providing a simple framework for a healthy and sustainable diet based on the principles of "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

2009: "The Omnivore's Dilemma" chosen for Washington State University's Common Reading Program

In 2009, Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" was chosen as the book of choice for Washington State University's Common Reading Program for 2009–10.

2010: Interviewed for "Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us?"

In 2010, Michael Pollan was interviewed for the documentary "Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us?", which discusses honey bees and colony collapse disorder.

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2010: Discussion and criticism by Jonathan Safran Foer in "Eating Animals"

In 2010, Michael Pollan's work was discussed and criticized by Jonathan Safran Foer in his non-fiction book "Eating Animals", specifically regarding Pollan's argument about vegetarian dinner guests causing inconvenience.

Eating Animals

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2013: Publication of "Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation"

In 2013, Michael Pollan's "Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation" was published, exploring the methods by which cooks mediate between nature and culture.

2014: Discussion and debate on genetic modification at UC Berkeley

In 2014, Michael Pollan co-hosted a discussion and informal debate on the topic of genetic modification at UC Berkeley, featuring Pamela Ronald, who has a research-based position that "strongly disagrees with Pollan’s view that G.M.O. crops, broadly, are failing."

2014: Foreword in "The Pollan Family Table"

In 2014, Michael Pollan wrote the foreword for "The Pollan Family Table", a cookbook co-authored by his mother and sisters.

2015: Received Washburn Award and named Radcliffe Fellow

In 2015, Michael Pollan received the Washburn Award from the Boston Museum of Science and was named a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.

2015: Documentary version of "In Defense of Food" premiered on PBS

In 2015, a documentary version of Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food" premiered on PBS.

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2016: Received honorary degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences

In 2016, Michael Pollan received an honorary degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences.

2016: Netflix released documentary series "Cooked"

In 2016, Netflix released a four-part documentary series, which was based on Michael Pollan's book "Cooked" (2013), and was directed by Alex Gibney.

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2016: Netflix documentary series based on "Cooked" released

In 2016, a Netflix documentary series created by Alex Gibney and based on Michael Pollan's book "Cooked" was released, starring Michael Pollan and Isaac Pollan.

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2018: Publication of "How to Change Your Mind"

In 2018, Michael Pollan wrote "How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence", a book about the history and future of psychedelic drugs. The book became a No. 1 New York Times best-seller.

2018: Criticism of "How to Change Your Mind" for not addressing unethical behaviors

Michael Pollan's 2018 book "How to Change Your Mind" has been criticized for not addressing unethical behaviors, such as sexual misconduct by psychedelic therapists, despite his professional relationships with figures in the field.

2019: Accusations of hypocrisy from Duncan Trussell

Following his 2019 New York Times op-ed advocating for medical legalization over broader decriminalization, Michael Pollan faced accusations of hypocrisy from psychedelic advocate Duncan Trussell, who highlighted Pollan's own admissions of illegal personal use of psychedelics in the book.

2020: Co-founding of UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics

In 2020, Michael Pollan co-founded the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, where he leads the public-education program.

July 6, 2021: Release of "This Is Your Mind on Plants"

On July 6, 2021, Michael Pollan's book "This Is Your Mind on Plants" was released, exploring opium, caffeine, and mescaline and initiating a post-war on drugs conversation.

November 2022: Teaches MasterClass course on Intentional Eating

Starting in November 2022, Michael Pollan teaches an online subscription MasterClass course on Intentional Eating.

June 2025: Panel discussion on clergy study at the Graduate Theological Union

During a June 2025 panel discussion on the clergy study at the Graduate Theological Union, Michael Pollan defended including the blocked data without explaining the lack of disclosures, calling a study whistleblower a "gadfly."

2025: Criticism for conflicts of interest in psychedelic journalism

Michael Pollan has been criticized for conflicts of interest in his psychedelic journalism following his co-founding of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, particularly in relation to the Ferriss–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship. A 2025 report, "The Psychedelic Syndicate," linked the fellowship to the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative, a group of wealthy psychedelic philanthropists accused of social engineering public opinion on psychedelics.