Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Noam Chomsky

Discover the career path of Noam Chomsky, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Noam Chomsky is a highly influential American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, and political activist. He revolutionized linguistics with his theory of universal grammar. Beyond academia, Chomsky is a prominent critic of US foreign policy, capitalism, and corporate media. He's written extensively on these topics, solidifying his position as a leading intellectual voice on the left. His work spans linguistics, political analysis, and social criticism, making him one of the most cited living authors.

Sections (6)

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

1947: Met Zellig Harris

In 1947, Chomsky first met Zellig Harris in a political circle, who introduced him to theoretical linguistics and convinced him to major in the subject.

1947: Criticism of the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine

In 1947, Noam Chomsky expressed his belief that the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine was a bad decision, but also considered a two-state solution on the condition that the nation-states exist on equal terms.

1952: Published First Academic Article

In 1952, Chomsky published his first academic article in The Journal of Symbolic Logic.

1954: Presented Ideas at Lectures

In 1954, Chomsky presented his ideas at lectures at the University of Chicago and Yale University, which were highly critical of the established behaviorist currents in linguistics.

1955: Dissertation Publication

In 1955, Chomsky presented recent developments in the analysis formulated by Zellig Harris in his dissertation. His method derives from the work of the structural linguist Louis Hjelmslev, who introduced algorithmic grammar to general linguistics.

1955: Earned Doctorate and Began Teaching at MIT

In 1955, Noam Chomsky earned his doctorate after developing the theory of transformational grammar. That same year, he began teaching at MIT.

1955: Assistant Professor at MIT

In 1955, Roman Jakobson secured Chomsky an assistant professor position at MIT, where he spent half his time on a mechanical translation project and half teaching linguistics and philosophy.

1957: Emergence as Significant Figure in Linguistics

In 1957, Chomsky emerged as a significant figure in linguistics with the publication of his landmark work, Syntactic Structures, which remodeled the study of language.

1957: Promoted to Associate Professor at MIT

In 1957, Chomsky was promoted to the position of associate professor at MIT and also became a visiting professor at Columbia University; that same year, the Chomskys had their first child, Aviva, and he published his first book on linguistics, Syntactic Structures.

1957: Publication of Syntactic Structures

In 1957, Noam Chomsky published his textbook, Syntactic Structures, which presented recent developments in the analysis formulated by Zellig Harris and Charles F. Hockett, and became a catalyst for connecting the beginnings of structural linguistics.

1961: Received Tenure and Became Full Professor at MIT

In 1961, Chomsky received tenure and became a full professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at MIT.

1962: Joined Vietnam War Protests

In 1962, Chomsky joined protests against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, speaking at small gatherings in churches and homes.

1962: Appointed Plenary Speaker

In 1962, Chomsky was appointed plenary speaker at the Ninth International Congress of Linguists in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

1963: Consulted on Military-Sponsored Project

Between 1963 and 1965, Chomsky consulted on a military-sponsored project to teach computers to understand natural English commands from military generals.

1965: Consulted on Military-Sponsored Project

Between 1963 and 1965, Chomsky consulted on a military-sponsored project to teach computers to understand natural English commands from military generals.

1965: Published Aspects of the Theory of Syntax

In 1965, Chomsky continued to publish his linguistic ideas, including the book 'Aspects of the Theory of Syntax'.

1966: Publication of "Cartesian Linguistics"

In 1966, Chomsky published "Cartesian Linguistics: A Chapter in the History of Rationalist Thought", sparking criticism for his interpretations of classical sources and philosophical terminology.

1966: Published Works on Generative Grammar

In 1966, Chomsky published 'Topics in the Theory of Generative Grammar' and 'Cartesian Linguistics: A Chapter in the History of Rationalist Thought'.

1967: Publication of "The Responsibility of Intellectuals"

In 1967, Chomsky's critique of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, "The Responsibility of Intellectuals", was published in The New York Review of Books, marking his debut as a public dissident.

1967: Rose to National Attention with Anti-War Essay

In 1967, Noam Chomsky rose to national attention for his anti-Vietnam War essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals," where he criticized U.S. involvement in the war as American imperialism.

1968: Lectured at the University of California, Berkeley

In 1966, Chomsky lectured at the University of California, Berkeley; these lectures were published as 'Language and Mind' in 1968.

1968: Questioned Student Protests

In 1968, Chomsky questioned the objectives of the student protests, yet regularly lectured to student activist groups and ran undergraduate courses on politics at MIT independently of the conservative-dominated political science department.

1969: Publication of American Power and the New Mandarins

In 1969, Chomsky's first political book, American Power and the New Mandarins, was published, compiling his essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals" and other political articles.

1969: John Locke Lectures

In 1969, Noam Chomsky delivered the John Locke Lectures, presenting his perspectives on various topics.

1970: Publication of At War with Asia

In 1970, Chomsky published the political book, At War with Asia, furthering his critique of U.S. foreign policy.

1970: Visited Southeast Asia

In 1970, Chomsky visited southeast Asia to lecture at Vietnam's Hanoi University of Science and Technology and toured war refugee camps in Laos.

1971: Debate with Michel Foucault

In 1971, Chomsky debated the French philosopher Michel Foucault on human nature, a symbolic clash of analytic and continental philosophy traditions. Chomsky argued for universal moral standards, while Foucault connected human nature to present-day conceptions.

1972: Publication of Linguistics Works

In 1972, Chomsky published Studies on Semantics in Generative Grammar and an enlarged edition of Language and Mind.

1973: Commemorated War Resisters League Anniversary

In 1973, Chomsky helped lead a committee commemorating the 50th anniversary of the War Resisters League.

1973: Publication of The Backroom Boys and For Reasons of State

In 1973, Chomsky published two political books: The Backroom Boys and For Reasons of State.

1973: Counter-Revolutionary Violence Publication Controversy

In 1973, Counter-Revolutionary Violence: Bloodbaths in Fact & Propaganda, co-written by Chomsky and Edward S. Herman, was published by Warner Modular but subsequently ordered to be destroyed by the parent company due to disapproval of its contents.

1974: Became Fellow of the British Academy

In 1974, Chomsky became a corresponding fellow of the British Academy.

1974: Publication of Peace in the Middle East?

In 1974, Chomsky published the political book, Peace in the Middle East?, published by Pantheon Books.

1975: Publication of Thesis

In 1975 Chomsky's thesis was published as part of 'The Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory'.

1975: Whidden Lectures

In 1975, Chomsky gave the Whidden Lectures, further disseminating his ideas and theories.

1975: Publication of Reflections on Language

In 1975, Chomsky published Reflections on Language, adding to his extensive work in linguistics.

1977: Huizinga Lecture

In 1977, Noam Chomsky delivered the Huizinga Lecture, sharing his insights and analyses.

1979: Publication of The Political Economy of Human Rights

In 1979, Chomsky and Herman's revised Counter-Revolutionary Violence was published by South End Press as the two-volume The Political Economy of Human Rights.

1983: Publication of "The Fateful Triangle"

In 1983, Chomsky published "The Fateful Triangle", in which he criticized the Palestine Liberation Organization for its "self-destructiveness" and "suicidal character" and disapproved of its programs of "armed struggle" and "erratic violence". He also criticized the Arab governments as not "decent".

1985: Visit to Managua During Contra War

In 1985, during the Nicaraguan Contra War, Chomsky traveled to Managua to meet with workers' organizations and refugees of the conflict, giving public lectures on politics and linguistics.

1987: Publication of On Power and Ideology: The Managua Lectures

In 1987, many of Chomsky's lectures given during his visit to Managua were published as On Power and Ideology: The Managua Lectures.

1988: Publication of Manufacturing Consent

In 1988, Chomsky and Herman's Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media was published, outlining their propaganda model for understanding mainstream media.

1988: Massey Lectures

In 1988, Chomsky presented the Massey Lectures, offering his perspectives on a range of subjects.

1988: Visited Palestinian Territories

In 1988, Chomsky visited the Palestinian territories to witness the impact of Israeli occupation.

1989: Publication of Necessary Illusions

In 1989, Chomsky published Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies, suggesting that citizens undertake intellectual self-defense against controlling media and elite culture.

1992: Film Adaptation of Manufacturing Consent

In 1992, Manufacturing Consent received a film adaptation.

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1995: Visited Australia for East Timor Cause

In 1995, Chomsky visited Australia to talk on the issue of East Timorese independence at the behest of the East Timorese Relief Association and the National Council for East Timorese Resistance.

1996: Publication of Powers and Prospects

In 1996, Chomsky's lectures on East Timor were published as Powers and Prospects.

1999: Criticism of International Force for East Timor

In 1999, after East Timor attained independence, Chomsky criticized the Australian-led International Force for East Timor, believing it was designed to secure Australian access to East Timor's oil and gas reserves.

2001: Interviewed after September 11 Attacks

In 2001, Chomsky was widely interviewed after the September 11 attacks, arguing that the ensuing War on Terror was a continuation of U.S. foreign policy since at least the Reagan era. He also gave the D.T. Lakdawala Memorial Lecture in New Delhi.

2002: Retired from MIT and visited Turkey

In 2002, Chomsky retired from MIT but continued research and seminars as an emeritus. He visited Turkey to attend the trial of a publisher accused of treason for printing one of his books, and also visited Kurdish areas and spoke out in favor of Kurdish human rights.

2003: Attended World Social Forum events

In 2003, Chomsky attended the World Social Forum conferences in Brazil and India.

2003: Visited Cuba and Published Hegemony or Survival

In 2003, Chomsky visited Cuba at the invitation of the Latin American Association of Social Scientists, and also published Hegemony or Survival, critiquing the Iraq War and aspects of the war on terror.

2011: Supported Occupy Movement

In 2011, Chomsky supported the Occupy movement, speaking at encampments and publishing on the movement.

2014: Interview on Democracy Now!

In a 2014 interview on Democracy Now!, Chomsky said that the charter of Hamas, which calls for Israel's destruction, "means practically nothing", having been created "by a small group of people under siege, under attack in 1988".