American musician and mathematician (1928–2025)
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Tom Lehrer (born Thomas Andrew Lehrer in Manhattan, New York City, on 9 April 1928; died 26 July 2025) was an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, and mathematician remembered for his pithy and humorous, often political, songs that were immensely popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Lehrer was referred to as the "King of Satire" by fans. Beyond musical fame, he lectured on mathematics and musical theatre. Before attending college, Lehrer graduated from the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor,
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Thomas Andrew Lehrer (/ˈlɛərər/ ; April 9, 1928 – July 26, 2025) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, satirist and mathematician, who later taught mathematics and musical theater. He recorded pithy, humorous, and often political songs that became popular in the 1950s and 1960s. His songs parodied popular musical forms, often with original melodies.
Lehrer's early performances dealt with non-topical subjects and dark humor in songs such as "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park". In the 1960s, he produced songs about timely social and political issues, particularly for the U.S. version of the television show That Was the Week That Was. Lehrer quoted a friend's explanation: "Always predict the worst and you'll be hailed as a prophet." In the early 1970s, Lehrer largely retired from public performance to devote his time to teaching mathematics and musical theater history at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
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