Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, cognitive scientist, philosopher, historian, social critic, and political activist. He is widely regarded as the father of modern linguistics, having revolutionized the study of language with his theory of generative grammar, which posits that humans are born with an innate capacity for language. Beyond linguistics, Chomsky is a prominent critic of political power, media, and U.S. foreign policy, authoring numerous works on politics, social issues, and philosophy. His interdisciplinary contributions have profoundly influenced linguistics, cognitive science, psychology, and political thought, making him one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th and 21st centuries.