Jordan Peterson
Born 1962 · Age 63
Canadian clinical psychologist, author, and public intellectual known for work on personality, religion, and cultural commentary; professor emeritus at the University of Toronto and bestselling author.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Edmonton, Alberta
Jordan Bernt Peterson born to Walter and Beverley Peterson in Edmonton; eldest of three children.
Entered Grande Prairie Regional College
Began studies in political science and English literature (initial plan to become a corporate lawyer).
BA in Political Science, University of Alberta
Completed Bachelor of Arts in political science at the University of Alberta.
Took a year off to travel in Europe
Traveled and studied psychological origins of the Cold War, totalitarianism, and read Jung, Nietzsche, Solzhenitsyn, Dostoevsky.
BA in Psychology, University of Alberta
Completed second BA, this time in psychology.
Moved to Montreal to attend McGill University
Enrolled in clinical psychology doctoral program at McGill.
Earned PhD in Clinical Psychology (McGill)
Completed PhD under supervisor Robert O. Pihl; thesis titled 'Potential Psychological Markers for the Predisposition to Alcoholism'.
Post-doctoral fellow at Douglas Hospital (McGill)
Worked with Robert O. Pihl and Maurice Dongier researching familial alcoholism and related psychopathologies.
Joined Harvard University (assistant professor)
Moved to Arlington, Massachusetts to teach and research at Harvard (1993–1998); researched aggression related to substance abuse, later shifted to personality research.
Returned to Canada; appointed full professor at University of Toronto
Left Harvard and became a faculty member in the psychology department at U of T.
Published 'Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief'
First book, combining psychology, mythology, religion, literature, philosophy and neuroscience; took ~13 years to complete.
First TV appearances on TVOntario
Appeared on TVOntario programs including 'Big Ideas' and later a 13-part lecture series (2004) based on Maps of Meaning.
13-part TVO series based on Maps of Meaning aired
University lectures adapted into a 13-part TV miniseries on TVOntario.
Co-founded Self-Authoring Suite company
With Drs. Daniel M. Higgins and Robert O. Pihl, launched online writing therapy programs (Past/Present/Future Authoring).
Featured in BBC Horizon documentary 'Mad but Glad'
Commented on Tourette syndrome and musical talent (Nick van Bloss case).
Began contributing as essayist and panelist on TVO's 'The Agenda'
Frequent appearances on a TV current affairs program as psychologist essayist/panelist.
Self-Authoring Suite adoption milestones
By multiple reports, Self-Authoring and UnderstandMyself programs used by tens of thousands; Self-Authoring claimed >200,000 users historically and UnderstandMyself ~30,000 monthly users (site-reported figures).
Registered YouTube channel 'JordanPetersonVideos'
Began uploading lectures and interviews online; earliest uploads included Harvard lectures (dating from 1996).
Started regular crowdfunding on Patreon
Began receiving monthly donations to fund production work and projects.
Released videos criticizing Bill C-16
Series of YouTube videos arguing the bill would compel speech and critiquing political correctness; garnered widespread media attention.
Launched The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Started his podcast which later frequently topped education charts.
Nominated repeatedly as outstanding lecturer
Nominated five consecutive years as one of Ontario's Best University Lecturers; rated as 'life changing' in U of T student handbook.
Put clinical practice on hold
Stopped regular clinical work due to new projects and commitments (reported 2017).
Patreon donations increase to ~$14,000/mo
Popularity and crowdfunding rose as he expanded video production.
Lecture series 'Genesis' recorded and released
Recorded a May 2017 series (15-part biblical lectures on Genesis) published online and as podcasts, fueling popularity.
Identified thousands of entrepreneurs for Founder Institute
Worked with The Founder Institute across ~60 countries identifying entrepreneurs (site claims).
Began 'Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories' lectures
Started live theatre lecture series analyzing Genesis stories; later published as podcasts and media content.
Patreon donations surpass $50,000/mo
Crowdfunding continued to grow, enabling production hires and expanded projects.
World tour promoting '12 Rules for Life' (major sold-out venues)
Extensive book tour across many countries; website later cites >400 sold-out venues and hundreds of thousands of attendees across tours.
YouTube channel reaches ~1.8 million subscribers (Aug 2018)
Massive growth in online audience following viral content and book promotion.
Debates with Sam Harris (June and July 2018)
Debated religion and God with Sam Harris in Vancouver (June) and then in Dublin/London (July) in large arenas.
Published '12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos'
Second book presented in accessible self-help style; promoted with a world tour and became an international bestseller.
YouTube Creator Awards milestones
Achieved 100,000-subscriber and later 1,000,000-subscriber Creator Awards (100k in 2017, 1M by 2018 noted across sources).
Agreement with College of Psychologists of Ontario (three-month undertaking)
After a professional misconduct complaint, Peterson entered an undertaking to improve patient communications; no full disciplinary hearing.
Suffered severe health problems related to benzodiazepine dependence (2019–2020)
Experienced serious withdrawal and health crises that paused public activity for extended periods.
Deleted Patreon account (public protest)
Left Patreon in protest after the platform banned Carl Benjamin; announced creation of alternative platforms.
Co-founded Thinkspot (limited release)
Announced with Dave Rubin as a free-speech-oriented social networking and crowdfunding platform; limited/beta release in 2019.
Cambridge University rescinds visiting fellowship invitation
Invited visiting fellowship rescinded after controversy about associations and perceived conflicts with inclusive environment commitments.
Podcast joins Westwood One network
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast joined Westwood One; daughter co-hosted some episodes.
Debate with Slavoj Žižek in Toronto
Public debate at the Sony Centre on happiness under capitalism vs Marxism.
Recovery and continued health issues (2020)
Underwent treatment and cycles of recovery related to benzodiazepine withdrawal; impact on public output and ability to speak/write.
Retired from University of Toronto; became Professor Emeritus
Stepped down from active teaching and employment, moved to emeritus status in fall 2021.
Published 'Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life'
Third major book, released 2 March 2021.
Became Chancellor of Ralston College
Appointed chancellor of Ralston College, a newly launched private/unaccredited liberal arts college project (Savannah, GA).
Signed content distribution deal with The Daily Wire
Deal includes distribution rights for video and podcast library and producing exclusive content for DailyWire+.
Twitter account suspended
Suspended under Twitter's hateful conduct policy after a tweet misgendering actor Elliot Page; later restored in Nov 2022.
YouTube/Demonetization actions
YouTube demonetized two videos related to his Twitter suspension and comments on gender-affirming care.
ICRC ordered remedial social media training (College of Psychologists of Ontario)
Ordered to complete specified continuing education/remedial program regarding professionalism in public statements; noted some public statements posed a moderate risk of harm.
Reported book sales exceed 7 million copies
Website and profiles cite combined sales of his books (Maps of Meaning, 12 Rules, Beyond Order) surpassing seven million copies by this period.
Podcast and online reach milestones reported
Website cites ~150 million podcast downloads and large YouTube subscriber/view counts (figures vary by date).
Co-founded Alliance for Responsible Citizenship
Founded the ARC with Baroness Stroud and John Anderson; hosted its international conference in October 2023.
Ontario Divisional Court upholds ICRC decision; ordered to pay legal costs
A panel of three judges unanimously upheld the college's 2022 decision and ordered Peterson to pay the CPO $25,000 in legal costs.
Launched Peterson Academy (online education platform)
Website reports launch of Peterson Academy offering pre-recorded lectures and online courses (launched early 2024; site active 2024).
Court of Appeal for Ontario upheld lower-court decision
Appeal outcome confirmed; continued requirement related to ICRC decision upheld.
Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear appeal
Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the appeal court decision, closing legal options to resist social media training.
Allegation in testimony: Trudeau claimed RT funding
In October 2024, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said under oath that Peterson was funded by Russian state-owned media outlet RT; Peterson said he was considering legal action.
Published 'We Who Wrestle with God: Perceptions of the Divine'
Fourth book published by Penguin Random House (noted in sources as published 19 Nov 2024).
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