# Noam Chomsky

> American linguist and activist (born 1928)

**Wikidata**: [Q9049](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9049)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/noam-chomsky

## Summary

Noam Chomsky was born on December 7, 1928 in East Oak Lane[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] to William Chomsky[14]. He attended Oak Lane Day School, Central High School, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Chomsky worked as a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1955 to 2002 and has remained a professor since 1955.His occupations include philosopher, linguist, political writer, university teacher, psychologist, and anthropologist[10][14]. His fields of expertise are linguistics, philosophy of language, psychology, and generative grammar. He identifies as agnostic[15].Chomsky married Carol Chomsky from 1949 to 2008 and has been married to Valeria Wasserman Chomsky since 2014[16]. He is a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, National Academy of Sciences, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences[17][18].He has received numerous awards including the Orwell Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, Helmholtz Medal, Thomas Merton Award, Sretenje Order, James Joyce Awards, and two additional awards[19][20][21][22].

## Summary
Noam Chomsky is an American linguist and activist, born in 1928. He is widely recognized for his foundational contributions to the field of linguistics, particularly the development of generative grammar, and for his extensive political commentary and activism.

## Biography
*   Born: December 7, 1928, in East Oak Lane, Philadelphia
*   Nationality: United States
*   Education:
    *   University of Pennsylvania (Bachelor of Arts, 1945-1949; Master of Arts, 1949-1951; Doctor of Philosophy, 1955)
    *   Harvard University (linguistics, 1951-1955)
    *   Central High School (until 1945)
    *   Oak Lane Day School
*   Known for: Linguistics, political writing, and activism
*   Employer(s): Massachusetts Institute of Technology (professor, 1955-2002)
*   Field(s): Linguistics, philosophy of language, psychology, generative grammar, communication theory, cognitive science, philosophy of mind, ethics, politics

## Contributions
Noam Chomsky has made profound contributions across linguistics and political thought, marked by numerous influential publications. In linguistics, his seminal work *Syntactic Structures* (published in 1957) introduced the theory of generative grammar, fundamentally reshaping the study of language. This was further elaborated in *Aspects of the Theory of Syntax*. His work challenged prevailing behaviorist views of language acquisition and proposed an innate, universal grammar, impacting not only linguistics but also cognitive science and philosophy of mind.

Beyond academia, Chomsky is a prolific political writer and activist. His notable political works include *Manufacturing Consent* (co-authored), *World Orders Old and New*, *Class Warfare*, *Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies*, and *Deterring Democracy*. These works critically analyze media, foreign policy, and power structures, influencing anti-war and New Left movements. He has also contributed to discussions on human rights and ethics, consistently advocating for social justice and challenging established narratives. His extensive body of work includes titles like *The Chomsky Reader*, *Ilusionistas*, and *Making the Future*.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Noam Chomsky primarily known for?
A: Noam Chomsky is primarily known for his groundbreaking work in linguistics, particularly the development of generative grammar, and for his influential political activism and critical writings on media and foreign policy.

### Q: Where did Noam Chomsky work for most of his career?
A: Noam Chomsky was a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from 1955 until 2002, where he conducted much of his influential research and teaching.

### Q: What are some of Noam Chomsky's most important books?
A: Some of Noam Chomsky's most important books include *Syntactic Structures*, which introduced generative grammar, and political works such as *Manufacturing Consent* and *Deterring Democracy*.

### Q: What academic degrees does Noam Chomsky hold?
A: Noam Chomsky earned a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. He also studied linguistics at Harvard University.

### Q: What political ideologies does Noam Chomsky associate with?
A: Noam Chomsky is associated with political ideologies such as anarcho-syndicalism, libertarian socialism, and antimilitarism.

## Why They Matter
Noam Chomsky's work fundamentally reshaped the field of linguistics, moving it from a descriptive science to a theoretical one with his concept of generative grammar. His proposal of an innate Universal Grammar revolutionized understanding of language acquisition and had a profound impact on cognitive science, psychology, and philosophy of mind, influencing generations of researchers and scholars. Without his contributions, the trajectory of these fields would be markedly different, lacking a central framework for understanding the biological basis of language.

Beyond academia, Chomsky's relentless political activism and critical analysis of power, media, and foreign policy have made him a leading public intellectual. He has inspired and informed numerous social movements, particularly the New Left and anti-war movements, by providing incisive critiques of state power and corporate influence. His work encourages critical thinking about societal structures and challenges conventional wisdom, making him a significant voice in contemporary political discourse and a lasting influence on those seeking to understand and change the world.

## Notable For
*   Developed the theory of generative grammar, a cornerstone of modern linguistics, notably in *Syntactic Structures* (1957).
*   Served as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for 47 years (1955-2002).
*   Recipient of numerous awards, including the Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences (1988) and the Orwell Award (1987).
*   Member of prestigious academic bodies such as the National Academy of Sciences (elected 1972) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (elected 1963).
*   Authored influential political works like *Manufacturing Consent* and *Deterring Democracy*, shaping public discourse on media and foreign policy.

## Body

### Personal Life and Background
Noam Chomsky was born Avram Noam Chomsky on December 7, 1928, in East Oak Lane, Philadelphia. His father was William Chomsky. He is a citizen of the United States and identifies with the Ashkenazi Jews ethnic group. His native language is English, and he also speaks Hebrew. He was married to Carol Chomsky from 1949 until her death in 2008, and later married Valeria Wasserman Chomsky in 2014. He has three children. His sister-in-law is Judith Chomsky. His residences have included East Oak Lane, Allston (1951-1965), Lexington (from 1965), and Tucson.

### Education
Chomsky attended Oak Lane Day School and Central High School, graduating from the latter in 1945. He pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949, a Master of Arts degree in 1951, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1955. During his doctoral studies, he also conducted research in linguistics at Harvard University from 1951 to 1955. His student mentors included Zellig S. Harris, Nelson Goodman, and Roman Jakobson.

### Academic Career
Noam Chomsky began his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1955, where he held the position of professor until 2002. His archives are maintained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries. His work location has included Pennsylvania, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Tucson.

His primary fields of work include:
*   Linguistics
*   Philosophy of language
*   Psychology
*   Generative grammar
*   Communication theory
*   Cognitive science
*   Philosophy of mind
*   Ethics
*   Politics

He has supervised numerous doctoral students, including Barbara Partee, Tanya Reinhart, John R. Ross, Ray Jackendoff, Mark Baker, Howard Lasnik, David Pesetsky, Janet Dean Fodor, and Joan W. Bresnan.

### Key Works and Publications
Chomsky's notable works include:
*   *Syntactic Structures*
*   *World Orders Old and New*
*   *Aspects of the Theory of Syntax*
*   *Manufacturing Consent*
*   *The Chomsky Reader*
*   *Class Warfare*
*   *Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies*
*   *Ilusionistas*
*   *Deterring Democracy*
*   *Making the Future*

### Memberships and Affiliations
Noam Chomsky is a member of several distinguished academic and scientific organizations:
*   American Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 1963)
*   American Association for the Advancement of Science (since 1966)
*   National Academy of Sciences (since 1972)
*   German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina (since 1974)
*   Academia Europaea (since 1995, AE section Philosophy, theology and religious studies)
*   Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (foreign member, since 2003)
*   American Philosophical Society (since 2004)
*   Royal Society of Canada

### Awards and Honors
Chomsky has received numerous accolades throughout his career:
*   Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences (1988)
*   William James Fellow Award (1989)
*   Helmholtz Medal (1996)
*   Thomas Merton Award (2010)
*   Erich Fromm Prize (2010)
*   Albertus-Magnus professorate (2011)
*   Orwell Award (1987)
*   Guggenheim Fellowship
*   James Joyce Awards
*   Sretenje Order

### Political Views and Activism
Chomsky's political ideology encompasses anarcho-syndicalism, libertarian socialism, and antimilitarism. He is known for his atheism and agnosticism. He has been a participant in significant political events, including the "Manifest in support of Barcelona in Common" (2015) and related international endorsement letters. He is considered a human rights defender and a media critic. He was also a participant in the Chomsky-Piaget debate.

### Online Presence
Noam Chomsky maintains an official website at https://chomsky.info/. He has a Facebook page (294468630182) and a subreddit dedicated to him (r/chomsky).

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Noam Chomsky",
  "jobTitle": "Linguist, Activist",
  "worksFor": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Massachusetts Institute of Technology"
  },
  "nationality": {
    "@type": "Country",
    "name": "United States"
  },
  "birthDate": "1928-12-07",
  "birthPlace": {
    "@type": "Place",
    "name": "East Oak Lane, Philadelphia"
  },
  "alumniOf": [
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "University of Pennsylvania"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Harvard University"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Central High School"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Oak Lane Day School"
    }
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Linguistics",
    "Philosophy of language",
    "Psychology",
    "Generative grammar",
    "Communication theory",
    "Cognitive science",
    "Philosophy of mind",
    "Ethics",
    "Politics"
  ],
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9049",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky",
    "https://chomsky.info/"
  ],
  "description": "American linguist and activist, born in 1928, known for his foundational contributions to linguistics and extensive political commentary."
}

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Хомский Ноам. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. Catalog of the German National Library
4. BnF authorities
5. [Boston.com](http://archive.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2008/12/20/carol_chomsky_at_78_harvard_language_professor_was_wife_of_mit_linguist/)
6. The Fine Art Archive
7. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/books/23chomsky.html)
8. [Source](https://www.unav.edu/web/ciencia-razon-y-fe/chomsky-la-naturaleza-humana-el-lenguaje-y-las-limitaciones-de-la-ciencia#:~:text=Chomsky%20es%20agn%C3%B3stico%20pero%20no,el%20mundo%20lo%20hacen%20movidos)
9. [Source](https://ncte.org/awards/george-orwell-award/)
10. Guggenheim Fellows database
11. [Source](https://www.bbaw.de/en/the-academy/awards/medals/helmholtz-medal)
12. [Source](https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members/awards-and-honors/fellow-award/recipent-past-award-winners)
13. [Source](https://www.kyotoprize.org/en/laureates/)
14. [Source](https://www.apa.org/about/awards/scientific-contributions?tab=3)
15. [Source](https://cavavub.be/nl/eredoctoraten)
16. [Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China](http://www.moe.gov.cn/s78/A22/xwb_left/moe_829/tnull_44386.html)
17. [Source](https://amp.phil-fak.uni-koeln.de/professorinnen/2011-noam-chomsky)
18. [Source](https://www.ipb.org/sean-macbride-peace-prize/)
19. [Source](https://www.uspeaceprize.org/)
20. [Source](https://sydneypeacefoundation.org.au/sydney-peace-prize/)
21. [Franklin Institute website](https://fi.edu/en/awards/laureates/noam-chomsky)
22. [Conversation with Noam Chomsky, cover page](https://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people2/Chomsky/chomsky-con0.html)
23. Mathematics Genealogy Project
24. [Source](https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/13650)
25. International Standard Name Identifier
26. Virtual International Authority File
27. CiNii Research
28. MusicBrainz
29. [www.nasonline.org](http://www.nasonline.org/member-directory/member-search-results.html?election_year=1972)
30. [Source](https://www.amacad.org/sites/default/files/academy/multimedia/pdfs/publications/bookofmembers/electionIndex1950-1999.pdf)
31. NNDB
32. [Source](https://search.amphilsoc.org/memhist/search?creator=Chomsky&title=&subject=&subdiv=&mem=&year=&year-max=&dead=&keyword=&smode=advanced)
33. www.ae-info.org
34. [Source](https://archivesspace.mit.edu/repositories/2/resources/1305)
35. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Noam-Chomsky)
36. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
37. IMDb
38. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/22/movies/is-the-man-who-is-tall-happy-a-michel-gondry-documentary.html)
39. SNAC
40. Discogs
41. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
42. Internet Philosophy Ontology project
43. Proleksis Encyclopedia
44. Munzinger Personen
45. Pedagogues and Psychologists of the World
46. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
47. [Source](https://barcelonaencomu.cat/actualitat/manifest-internacional-per-una-barcelona-que-obre-cami/)
48. CONOR.SI
49. BBC Things
50. Quora