Avram Noam Chomsky (born December 7, 1928) is an American linguist, philosopher, political activist, author, and lecturer. He is the Institute Professor Emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and one of the most important influences on contemporary linguistics and cognitive science. Chomsky is also widely known and respected for his well constructed criticism of US foreign policy, politics and media.

Chomsky is one of the most cited scholars in the world.