Avram Noam Chomsky is an eminent American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, political activist, author, and lecturer. Born on December 7, 1928, in Philadelphia to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants, Chomsky demonstrated a strong interest in anarchism as a young man. He pursued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania and later developed the theory of transformational grammar, earning his doctorate in 1955. Chomsky's significant academic journey began at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he emerged as a pioneering figure in linguistics with his work, Syntactic Structures.

Chomsky's theories, including universal grammar, generative grammar, the Chomsky hierarchy, and the minimalist program, have deeply influenced the study of language and cognitive science. His naturalistic approach has also impacted the philosophy of language and mind. Notably, Chomsky played a crucial role in the cognitive revolution, challenging the behaviorist movement that was prevalent in the 1950s.

Outside the realm of academia, Chomsky is known for his staunch critique of U.S. foreign policy and his political activism, particularly his opposition to the Vietnam War. His anti-war essay, The Responsibility of Intellectuals, catapulted him to national attention and saw him arrested for his activism. Chomsky's work on media criticism, particularly in Manufacturing Consent with Edward S. Herman, and his advocacy for unconditional freedom of speech have stirred significant discussion and controversy.

Despite his retirement from active teaching at MIT, Chomsky continues to contribute to academic discourse and political activism, including his opposition to the Iraq War and his support for the Occupy movement. His anti-Zionist views and criticisms of capitalism and imperialism have made him a prominent voice in anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movements. Chomsky has been a laureate professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona since 2017.