Childhood and Education Journey of Noam Chomsky in Timeline

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

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

1913: William Chomsky Fled Russian Empire

In 1913, William Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's father, fled the Russian Empire from what is present-day Ukraine to escape conscription.

December 7, 1928: Noam Chomsky Born

On December 7, 1928, Avram Noam Chomsky was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is now known as an American professor, public intellectual, and a major figure in linguistics, political activism, social criticism, analytic philosophy, and cognitive science.

Others born on this day/year

1934: Birth of David Eli Chomsky

In 1934, David Eli Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's brother, was born. He later worked as a cardiologist in Philadelphia.

1938: Orwell's Homage to Catalonia

Chomsky's politics were reaffirmed by Orwell's depiction of Barcelona's functioning anarchist society in Homage to Catalonia in 1938.

Homage to Catalonia

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1939: Fall of Barcelona

In 1939, Chomsky became absorbed in the story of the fall of Barcelona and the suppression of the Spanish anarchosyndicalist movement, leading him to write his first article on the topic at the age of 10.

1945: Began Studies at the University of Pennsylvania

In 1945, at the age of 16, Chomsky began a general program of study at the University of Pennsylvania, exploring philosophy, logic, and languages.

1949: Marriage to Carol Doris Schatz

In 1949, Chomsky married Carol Doris (née Schatz).

1951: Joined 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 for his doctoral dissertation.

1951: Received MA from University of Pennsylvania

In 1951, Chomsky received his MA from the University of Pennsylvania after revising his BA honors thesis, "Morphophonemics of Modern Hebrew".

1953: Travel to Europe

In 1953, Chomsky and his wife took a Harvard travel grant to Europe, where he lived in HaZore'a kibbutz in Israel.

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: Awarded Doctor of Philosophy Degree

In 1955, Chomsky submitted a thesis setting out his ideas on transformational grammar and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree for it.

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.

1957: Birth of Aviva Chomsky

In 1957, Aviva Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's daughter, was born.

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.

1960: Birth of Diane Chomsky

In 1960, Diane Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's daughter, was born.

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.

1965: Relocated to Lexington

In 1965, Chomsky and his wife relocated to the suburb of Lexington after living in the Allston area of Boston.

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: Birth of Harry Chomsky

In 1967, Harry Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's son, was born.

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: Chomsky threatens to protest Rostow's return to MIT.

In 1969, Chomsky threatened to protest publicly if Walt Rostow, a major architect of the Vietnam war, was denied a position at MIT.

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.

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.

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.

1974: Publication of Peace in the Middle East?

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

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: Visited Palestinian Territories

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

1989: Chomsky supports John Deutch's candidacy for MIT president

In 1989, Chomsky supported Pentagon adviser John Deutch's candidacy for president of MIT. Later, Chomsky was quoted in The New York Times praising Deutch's honesty and integrity when he became head of the CIA.

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.

2003: Album Pandemoniumfromamerica dedicated to Chomsky

In 2003, Actor Viggo Mortensen and avant-garde guitarist Buckethead dedicated their album "Pandemoniumfromamerica" to Chomsky as a tribute.

2003: Opposed the 2003 Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Chomsky continued his vocal political activism by opposing the invasion of Iraq.

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.

2010: Denial of Entry to West Bank

In 2010, Chomsky was denied entry to the West Bank due to his criticisms of Israel. He was invited to lecture at Bir Zeit University and meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman later stated it was a mistake.

2011: Supported Occupy Movement

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

2014: Marriage to Valeria Wasserman

In 2014, Chomsky married Valeria Wasserman.

2015: Purchased Residence in Brazil

In 2015, Chomsky and his wife purchased a residence in São Paulo, Brazil, splitting their time between Brazil and the U.S.

2015: Ownership of Home in Brazil

Since 2015, Chomsky and his wife, Valeria Wasserman, have owned a home in her native country, Brazil.

2016: Rebuke by President Erdoğan

In early 2016, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey publicly rebuked Chomsky after he signed an open letter condemning Erdoğan for his anti-Kurdish repression and double standards on terrorism. Chomsky accused Erdoğan of hypocrisy for supporting al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate.

2017: Taught at University of Arizona

In 2017, Chomsky taught a short-term politics course at the University of Arizona and was hired as the Agnese Nelms Haury Chair.

June 2023: Moved to Brazil Full-Time After Stroke

In June 2023, Chomsky moved to Brazil full-time after suffering a stroke.

2023: Chomsky Suffers Stroke

In 2023, Chomsky suffered a massive stroke and was flown to a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, to recuperate. He can no longer walk or communicate, making his return to public life improbable, but he continues to follow current events.

June 2024: Discharge from Hospital

In June 2024, Chomsky was discharged from a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, to continue his recovery at home after suffering a massive stroke in 2023. False reports of his death trended on social media.