Tom Lehrer, the American songwriter and mathematician who became widely known for his satirical songs in the 1950s and 1960s, has died at the age of 97.
Known for combining humour and science, Tom Lehrer’s legacy lives on
According to Euro News, Lehrer passed away on Saturday at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as confirmed by his long-time friend David Herder. No cause of death has been disclosed. Lehrer, who never married and had no children, leaves behind a legacy of music and education.
Lehrer began his career not in music but in academics. A highly intelligent scholar, he studied mathematics at Harvard University.
However, he became popular for writing and performing humorous songs that often made fun of serious topics like politics, war, and social issues.
One of his most famous songs, The Elements, humorously lists all the chemical elements using the melody of The Major-General’s Song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.
Other well-known tracks include The Masochism Tango, Poisoning Pigeons in the Park, and We Will All Go Together When We Go, which satirised the idea of nuclear war during the Cold War era.
By the 1970s, Lehrer chose to stop performing in public. He decided instead to focus on teaching, becoming a mathematics and musical theatre lecturer at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Despite his popularity, Lehrer preferred a private life and gradually stepped away from the entertainment world.
He once explained his career path with a quote from a friend:
“Always predict the worst and you’ll be hailed as a prophet.”
Lehrer’s work continues to influence musicians, comedians, and educators. His ability to explain complex or serious issues using humour made his songs memorable for generations.
He often mixed dark humour with simple melodies, making his music both educational and entertaining.
Although Lehrer stopped releasing new material decades ago, his songs have remained popular, particularly online and in academic circles.
In recent years, he made many of his works freely available to the public, showing his continued commitment to education and creativity.