Tom Lehrer, the American satirical songwriter and mathematician whose darkly comic songs skewered politics, culture, and human folly in the 1950s and 1960s, has died at the age of 96.
Born Thomas Andrew Lehrer on April 9, 1928, in New York City, he began studying classical piano at an early age and displayed a talent for music and mathematics.
Lehrer began writing humorous songs as a student and gained a cult following with self-produced recordings. In 1953, he released Songs by Tom Lehrer, a collection of satirical tunes that he sold by mail order.
Tom Lehrer's song about World War III still holds up over sixty years later. pic.twitter.com/ZnNw23Wpg0
— History Calendar (@historycalendar) July 27, 2025
The record included songs such as The Old Dope Peddler and Be Prepared, showcasing his witty lyrics and distinctive piano style. His 1960 album, More of Tom Lehrer, expanded his audience.
Lehrer's compositions often tackled controversial topics such as nuclear proliferation, racism, and political hypocrisy, delivered in a jaunty, upbeat musical style.
His reputation as a leading voice in musical satire was cemented with his work on the television show That Was the Week That Was in 1965. Many of the songs he wrote for the show were compiled into the album That Was the Year That Was, including The Vatican Rag, Pollution, and Wernher von Braun.
His song The Elements, which sets the names of the chemical elements to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Major-General’s Song, became a favorite among science enthusiasts.
Despite his popularity, Lehrer gradually withdrew from performing. By the early 1970s, he had largely retired from show business and returned to teaching mathematics, particularly at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Lehrer remained out of the public eye for much of the rest of his life. In later years, he allowed many of his works to enter the public domain. In 2020, he released his lyrics and recordings into the public domain, stating he had no interest in continuing to control their distribution.
Renowned composer Randy Newman, known for his work on the Toy Story movies, has acknowledged Tom Lehrer's influence on his music.
His impact also extended to younger generations; actor Daniel Radcliffe described Lehrer as a personal hero and famously performed The Elements during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show.
