Noam Chomsky was a professor.
Emeritus ( [ ᵻˈmɛrᵻtəs ] ) , in its current usage , is an adjective used to designate a retired professor , pastor , bishop , pope , director , president , prime minister , or other person . Noam Chomsky . He is Institute Professor Emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) , where he has worked since 1955 , and is the author of over 100 books on topics such as linguistics , war , politics , and mass media . From 1951 to 1955 he was appointed to Harvard University 's Society of Fellows , where he developed the theory of transformational grammar for which he was awarded his doctorate in 1955 . Following his retirement from active teaching , he has continued his vocal political activism , including opposing the War on Terror and supporting the Occupy movement .