History of Noam Chomsky in Timeline

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.

1947: Began Relationship with Carol Doris Schatz

In 1947, Chomsky began a romantic relationship with Carol Doris Schatz, whom he had known since early childhood.

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.

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".

1952: Published First Academic Article

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

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.

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: Birth of Aviva Chomsky

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

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.

1958: National Science Foundation Fellowship

From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.

1959: National Science Foundation Fellowship

From 1958 to 1959 Chomsky was a National Science Foundation fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.

1960: Birth of Diane Chomsky

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

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: Relocated to Lexington

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

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: Birth of Harry Chomsky

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

1967: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Chicago

In 1967, Noam Chomsky received an honorary doctorate from the University of Chicago, recognizing his contributions to linguistics and cognitive science.

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: 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.

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.

1970: Honorary Doctorates from Loyola University Chicago and Swarthmore College

In 1970, Noam Chomsky was awarded honorary doctorates from both Loyola University Chicago and Swarthmore College, celebrating his academic achievements.

1970: Named a "Maker of the Twentieth Century"

In 1970, the London Times named Chomsky one of the "makers of the twentieth century".

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.

1971: Guggenheim Fellowship Received

In 1971, Chomsky received a Guggenheim Fellowship.

1971: Honorary Doctorate from Bard College

In 1971, Noam Chomsky received an honorary doctorate from Bard College, adding to his list of academic honors.

1972: Publication of Linguistics Works

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

1972: Honorary Doctorate from Delhi University

In 1972, Delhi University awarded Noam Chomsky an honorary doctorate, acknowledging his global impact on intellectual thought.

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.

1973: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Massachusetts

In 1973, The University of Massachusetts awarded Noam Chomsky with an honorary doctorate.

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.

1980: Most Cited Author

From 1980 to 1992, Chomsky was cited within the Arts and Humanities Citation Index more often than any other living scholar.

1980: Faurisson Affair

In 1980, Chomsky defended Robert Faurisson's right to freedom of speech, leading to widespread condemnation and accusations of Holocaust denial against Chomsky himself.

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".

1984: American Psychological Association Award

In 1984, Chomsky received the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology.

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: NCTE George Orwell Award

In 1987, Chomsky received the NCTE George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language.

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.

February 1988: Landau defends Chomsky's exclusion from policy debate

In February 1988, Saul Landau wrote for The Washington Post that Chomsky's insights are excluded from the policy debate and that his relentless prose and rationalist anarchism reflect a justified frustration.

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: Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences

In 1988, Chomsky received the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences.

1988: Visited Palestinian Territories

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

1989: NCTE George Orwell Award

In 1989, Chomsky again received the NCTE George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language.

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.

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.

1992: Most Cited Author

From 1980 to 1992, Chomsky was cited within the Arts and Humanities Citation Index more often than any other living scholar.

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: Helmholtz Medal Received

In 1996, Chomsky received the Helmholtz Medal.

1996: Publication of Powers and Prospects

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

1999: Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science

In 1999, Chomsky received the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science.

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: 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: Attended World Social Forum events

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

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.

2004: Carl-von-Ossietzky Prize

In 2004, Chomsky received the Carl-von-Ossietzky Prize from the city of Oldenburg, Germany, to acknowledge his work as a political analyst and media critic.

2004: Publication of "The Anti-Chomsky Reader"

In 2004, Peter Collier and David Horowitz published "The Anti-Chomsky Reader", in which they accuse Chomsky of cherry-picking facts to suit his theories. Horowitz has also criticized Chomsky's anti-Americanism.

2005: Honorary Fellowship

In 2005, Chomsky received an honorary fellowship from the Literary and Historical Society of University College Dublin.

2005: World's Leading Public Intellectual

In 2005, Chomsky was voted the world's leading public intellectual in The 2005 Global Intellectuals Poll.

January 2006: Criticism from Peter Schweizer

In January 2006, Peter Schweizer of the Hoover Institution criticized Chomsky for favoring estate tax and massive income redistribution but protecting his own intellectual property and receiving high speaking fees.

2006: New Statesman Readers List Chomsky Among World's Foremost Heroes

In 2006, New Statesman readers listed Chomsky among the world's foremost heroes.

2008: Death of Carol Doris Chomsky

In 2008, Carol Doris (née Schatz), Chomsky's wife, passed away.

2008: President's Medal

In 2008, Chomsky received the President's Medal from the Literary and Debating Society of the National University of Ireland, Galway.

2009: Honorary Member

Since 2009, Chomsky has been an honorary member of International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI).

2010: Erich Fromm Prize Received

In 2010, Chomsky received the Erich Fromm Prize.

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: US Peace Prize awarded

In 2011, Chomsky received the US Peace Prize from the US Peace Memorial Foundation for his anti-war work over five decades.

2011: Supported Occupy Movement

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

September 2012: Kozloff's Criticism of Chomsky

In September 2012, Nikolas Kozloff wrote for Al Jazeera that Chomsky has drawn attention to misdeeds of the U.S. and its proxies but has turned into an ideologue, avoiding controversy and significant discussion of Belarus or Latin America's leaders.

2012: Honorary Doctorate from the International School for Advanced Studies

In 2012, Noam Chomsky received an honorary doctorate from the International School for Advanced Studies.

2014: Marriage to Valeria Wasserman

In 2014, Chomsky married Valeria Wasserman.

2014: Neil and Saras Smith Medal for Linguistics

In 2014, Chomsky received the British Academy's Neil and Saras Smith Medal for Linguistics.

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".

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: Sretenje Order

In 2015, Chomsky received the Sretenje Order for his work in human rights, peace, and social criticism.

2015: Documentary: Requiem for the American Dream

In 2015, the documentary Requiem for the American Dream, summarizing Chomsky's views on capitalism and economic inequality, was released.

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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: Sean MacBride Peace Prize

In 2017, Chomsky received the Seán MacBride Peace Prize and the Dorothy Eldridge Peacemaker Award for his contributions to human rights, peace, and social criticism.

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.

2021: Death of David Eli Chomsky

In 2021, David Eli Chomsky, Noam Chomsky's brother, passed away. He was a cardiologist in Philadelphia.

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.