Tom Lehrer, the mathematician-turned-musical satirist whose darkly witty songs earned him cult status in the 1950s and ’60s, died Saturday at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 97.
Lehrer, best known for songs like Poisoning Pigeons in the Park and The Vatican Rag, blended sardonic lyrics with cheerful melodies. A Harvard-trained mathematician, he juggled a brief but memorable music career with academia, teaching at Harvard, MIT, and UC Santa Cruz.
His songwriting career began in college, where his parody pieces quickly gained attention. His 1953 debut album, Songs by Tom Lehrer, became a mail-order sensation, selling over 500,000 copies. His work was often controversial, tackling taboo subjects like religion, war, and vice with biting humor.
Lehrer’s output included politically charged songs for NBC’s That Was the Week That Was and educational tunes for PBS’s The Electric Company. Despite his popularity, he ended his performance career in 1967, saying he preferred writing over public applause.
In a surprising move, Lehrer relinquished all rights to his music in 2020, allowing the public free use of his lyrics and melodies.
He never married or had children and leaves no immediate survivors. Lehrer’s influence lives on through generations of comedians and musicians who followed his unapologetic style of satire.
His legacy, though rooted in humor, was one of sharp intellect, cultural critique, and enduring originality.
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