Funny math genius Tom Lehrer, the satiric songwriter, passes away at 97

Tom Lehrer, a celebrated satirical songwriter and mathematician known for his incisive and witty musical parodies, has died at 97. Lehrer, whose work in the 1950s and '60s earned him a devoted following, passed away at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as confirmed by his friend David Herder, according to The New York Times. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Born in New York City on April 9, 1928, Lehrer developed a passion for music and mathematics at a young age, the New York Times detailed. He began studying classical piano at age seven and was composing his own songs by the time he attended Harvard University, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics at 18. During this period, Lehrer began recording his clever, satirical songs, leading to influential albums like "Songs by Tom Lehrer" (1953) and "More of Tom Lehrer" (1959).

Lehrer’s sharp lyrics and lively piano accompaniments made his compositions popular on college campuses and in entertainment hubs like Greenwich Village. His songs addressed topics such as drug addiction in "The Old Dope Peddler" and institutional critique in "The Vatican Rag," positioning him as a pioneer of musical black comedy, as reported by Variety.

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Despite the success of his recordings, Lehrer preferred academia to the stage, ultimately choosing a career in teaching mathematics at prestigious institutions including Harvard University, MIT, and UC Santa Cruz. Lehrer humorously remarked on his dual career, according to the New York Post. His songs retained a strong cultural presence and resonated with audiences through various media. Lehrer also contributed to the 1960s television program "That Was the Week That Was," which paved the way for shows like "Saturday Night Live."

Lehrer's work inspired later artists, with talents like Randy Newman and "Weird Al" Yankovic noting his influence on their careers.