Tom Lehrer, Legendary Musical Satirist, Dies at 97

 

Tom Lehrer, the iconic musical satirist and mathematician, has died at the age of 97. Known for his sharp wit and dark humor, Lehrer created timeless satirical songs like “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” “The Elements,” and “The Vatican Rag.” He began his musical career in the 1950s while studying and teaching mathematics at Harvard. Despite his relatively small discography, his influence on comedy and music was immense, inspiring artists like “Weird Al” Yankovic and Rachel Bloom. Lehrer retired early from public life, eventually teaching mathematics at UC Santa Cruz. In a remarkable move, he released all of his songs into the public domain by 2022, ensuring his legacy would live on freely. He passed away peacefully at his home in Cambridge.