| Timeline |
| 1916 |
Born 10 May, in Philadelphia; the son of a mathematician |
| 1931 |
Enrols at the University of Pennsylvania with the intention of studying mathematics
|
| 1932 |
Encounter with the music of Arnold Schönberg confirms his decision to become a composer; transfers to New York University |
| 1940s |
Serves on Princeton University faculty |
| 1942 |
Completes MFA at Princeton University |
| 1942 |
Earns degree from New York University |
| 1955 |
Studied composition privately with Roger Sessions |
| 1958 |
He wrote the 'notorious' article, "Who Cares If You Listen" dealing with the idea of composer as specialist writing music that the general public has no interest in and can not or does not understand or want to understand. |
| 1959 |
Is one of the founders of the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Studio; wins an award from the National Institute of Arts and Letters |
| 1960 |
Appointed Conant Professor of Music; Receives a Guggenheim Fellowship |
| 1965 |
Earns a membership in the National Institute of Arts and Letters |
| 1970 |
Receives Brandeis University Gold Medal |
| 1972 |
Joins composition faculty at the Juilliard School of Music |
| 1982 |
Receives a lifetime Pulitzer Prize in Composition for contributions in twelve-tone and electronic music |
