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 is renowned as the "father of modern linguistics" for his groundbreaking theories on universal grammar. Chomsky is also a prominent figure on the American left, known for his sharp critiques of U.S. foreign policy, capitalism, and the role of corporations and media in shaping political discourse. He has authored over 150 books on diverse topics, solidifying his place as one of the most cited living authors.
1951: Society of Fellows at Harvard University
From 1951 to 1955, Chomsky was a member of the Society of Fellows at Harvard University, where he undertook research on what became his doctoral dissertation.
1952: First Academic Article Published
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.
1955: Doctorate and MIT Teaching
In 1955, Chomsky earned his doctorate after developing the theory of transformational grammar. In the same year, he began teaching at MIT.
1955: Assistant Professor at MIT
In 1955, Chomsky secured an assistant professor position at MIT.
1955: Chomsky's Dissertation
In 1955, Noam Chomsky's dissertation presented recent advancements in the analysis formulated by Zellig Harris, Chomsky's PhD supervisor, and Charles F. Hockett.
1957: Publication of Syntactic Structures
In 1957, Chomsky emerged as a significant figure in linguistics with the publication of his landmark work, Syntactic Structures, which played a major role in remodeling the study of language.
1957: Associate Professor at MIT & Visiting Professor at Columbia University
In 1957, MIT promoted Chomsky to the position of associate professor. In the same year, The Chomskys had their first child, Aviva. He also published his first book on linguistics, Syntactic Structures.
1958: National Science Foundation Fellow & Visiting Professor at Columbia University
From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. In 1958, over the next year he was also a visiting professor at Columbia University.
1958: National Science Foundation Fellow
From 1958 to 1959, Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study.
1959: National Science Foundation Fellow
From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
1961: Received Tenure at MIT
In 1961, Chomsky received tenure and became a full professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics at MIT.
1962: Plenary Speaker
In 1962, Chomsky was appointed plenary speaker at the Ninth International Congress of Linguists, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
1963: Consulted on Military 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 Project
Between 1963 and 1965, Chomsky consulted on a military-sponsored project to teach computers to understand natural English commands from military generals.
1965: Publication of Aspects of the Theory of Syntax
In 1965, Chomsky continued to publish his linguistic ideas throughout the decade, including in 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. This work sparked criticism from historians and philosophers who disagreed with Chomsky's interpretations of classical sources and use of philosophical terminology.
1966: Publications and Lectures
In 1966, Chomsky published Topics in the Theory of Generative Grammar and Cartesian Linguistics: A Chapter in the History of Rationalist Thought. In 1966, Chomsky lectured at the University of California, Berkeley.
1968: Publication of Language and Mind
In 1968, Chomsky's lectures at the University of California, Berkeley, were published as Language and Mind.
1969: Published American Power and the New Mandarins
In 1969, Chomsky's first political book, "American Power and the New Mandarins", was published, collecting his essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals" and other political articles.
1970: Publication of At War with Asia
In 1970, Chomsky published "At War with Asia", another of his political books, published by Pantheon Books.
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 French continental philosopher Michel Foucault, positioning Chomsky as a symbolic figurehead of analytic philosophy.
1972: Published Studies on Semantics in Generative Grammar and Language and Mind
In 1972, Chomsky published "Studies on Semantics in Generative Grammar" and an enlarged edition of "Language and Mind".
1973: Helped lead a committee commemorating the War Resisters League
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 more political books, "The Backroom Boys" and "For Reasons of State", both published by Pantheon Books.
1973: Counter-Revolutionary Violence Publication
In 1973, Chomsky, along with Edward S. Herman, wrote "Counter-Revolutionary Violence: Bloodbaths in Fact & Propaganda", criticizing U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia. The parent company of Warner Modular, the original publisher, disapproved of the book's contents and ordered all copies destroyed.
1974: Publication of Peace in the Middle East?
In 1974, Chomsky published "Peace in the Middle East?", another of his political books, published by Pantheon Books.
1975: Publication of "The Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory"
In 1975 Chomsky's thesis was published as part of The Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory.
1975: Published Reflections on Language
In 1975, Chomsky published "Reflections on Language".
1979: Publication of The Political Economy of Human Rights
In 1979, South End Press published Chomsky and Herman's revised "Counter-Revolutionary Violence" as the two-volume "The Political Economy of Human Rights".
1983: Published The Fateful Triangle
In 1983, Chomsky published "The Fateful Triangle", arguing that the U.S. had continually used the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for its own ends.
1983: Criticism of Palestine Liberation Organization
In 1983, Chomsky's book, The Fateful Triangle, criticized the Palestine Liberation Organization for its "self-destructiveness" and "suicidal character," disapproving of its programs involving "armed struggle" and "erratic violence." He also criticized Arab governments. These views, considering his upbringing, sparked controversy.
1985: Traveled to Managua
In 1985, Chomsky traveled to Managua during the Nicaraguan Contra War to meet with workers' organizations and refugees, giving public lectures on politics and linguistics.
1987: Published On Power and Ideology: The Managua Lectures
In 1987, many of Chomsky's lectures from his trip to Managua were published as "On Power and Ideology: The Managua Lectures".
February 1988: Defense of Chomsky's Insights
In February 1988, Saul Landau wrote for The Washington Post that it is unhealthy that Chomsky's insights are excluded from policy debates, despite his relentless prose and rationalist anarchism.
1988: Published Manufacturing Consent
In 1988, Chomsky and Herman published "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media", outlining their propaganda model for understanding mainstream media.
1988: Visited Palestinian Territories
In 1988, Chomsky visited the Palestinian territories to witness the impact of Israeli occupation.
1989: Published Necessary Illusions
In 1989, Chomsky published "Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies", in which he suggests citizens undertake intellectual self-defense against controlling media and elite culture.
1989: Support for John Deutch at MIT
In 1989, Chomsky supported John Deutch, then a Pentagon advisor, in his candidacy to become president of MIT. Later, when Deutch became head of the CIA, Chomsky vouched for his integrity.
1992: Manufacturing Consent Film Adaptation
In 1992, Chomsky and Herman's book "Manufacturing Consent" received a film adaptation.
1995: Visited Australia for East Timor cause
In 1995, Chomsky visited Australia to talk about East Timorese independence at the behest of the East Timorese Relief Association and the National Council for East Timorese Resistance.
1996: Published Powers and Prospects
In 1996, the lectures Chomsky gave on East Timor were published as "Powers and Prospects".
2001: Gave the D.T. Lakdawala Memorial Lecture
In 2001, Chomsky gave the D.T. Lakdawala Memorial Lecture in New Delhi.
2002: Retired from MIT
In 2002, Chomsky retired from MIT, but continued research and seminars as an emeritus.
2002: Visited Turkey for publisher's trial
In 2002, Chomsky visited Turkey to attend the trial of a publisher accused of treason for printing one of his books, insisting on being a co-defendant, and during that trip he visited Kurdish areas of Turkey, speaking in favor of Kurdish human rights.
2003: Visited Cuba
In 2003, Chomsky visited Cuba at the invitation of the Latin American Association of Social Scientists.
2011: US Peace Prize and Sydney Peace Prize
In 2011, the US Peace Memorial Foundation awarded Noam Chomsky the US Peace Prize for his anti-war activities over five decades. Furthermore, for his work in human rights, peace, and social criticism, he received the Sydney Peace Prize the same year.
2015: Sretenje Order
In 2015, Noam Chomsky received the Sretenje Order for his work in human rights, peace, and social criticism.
2015: Release of Requiem for the American Dream
In 2015, the documentary "Requiem for the American Dream" was released, summarizing Chomsky's views on capitalism and economic inequality.
2017: Taught at the University of Arizona
In 2017, Chomsky taught a short-term politics course at the University of Arizona and was later hired as the Agnese Nelms Haury Chair.
2017: Seán MacBride Peace Prize and Dorothy Eldridge Peacemaker Award
In 2017, Noam Chomsky received the Seán MacBride Peace Prize and the Dorothy Eldridge Peacemaker Award for his work in human rights, peace, and social criticism.
Mentioned in this timeline
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
India officially the Republic of India is a South Asian...
Germany officially the Federal Republic of Germany is a nation...
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by...
Pennsylvania is a U S state located in the Mid-Atlantic...
Arizona is a landlocked state in the Southwestern U S...
Trending
29 minutes ago Clara Tauson Dominates Linette in Dubai, Secures WTA 1000 Quarterfinal Spot
29 minutes ago Pegula Defeats Jovic, Advances to Dubai Quarterfinals; Set to Face Tauson
29 minutes ago Toyota Supra and Lexus LC May Share Platform for Next Generation Models
30 minutes ago Alaska Airlines pilots get shocking pay raises, reshaping network and margins.
30 minutes ago Ramadan 2026 Timetable: Fasting Hours, Suhoor, and Iftar Times Worldwide Confirmed.
1 hour ago Ski Mountaineering to Debut at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026.
Popular
Jesse Jackson is an American civil rights activist politician and...
Randall Adam Fine is an American politician a Republican who...
Pam Bondi is an American attorney lobbyist and politician currently...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
Martin Luther King Jr was a pivotal leader in the...
Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer serving as...