His friend David Herder confirmed the news, though no cause of death was shared.
Born in 1928 in New York City, Lehrer was a prodigy who entered Harvard at 15 to study mathematics. While pursuing academics,
he began writing witty, darkly humorous songs tackling politics, religion, and everyday absurdities. His 1953 self-released
debut album Songs by Tom Lehrer gained a cult following and launched a music career that blended satire with catchy melodies.
Hits like “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” “The Vatican Rag,” and “The Elements” defined his unique voice.
His fame peaked in the 1950s and ’60s with albums such as More of Tom Lehrer and That Was the Year That Was.
However, he withdrew from the spotlight in the late ’60s, claiming satire was obsolete in a world already absurd.
Lehrer returned to teaching math at MIT and UC Santa Cruz. In recent years, he released all his work into the public domain,
allowing free use and sharing. Lehrer’s sharp humor, intelligence, and cultural commentary leave a lasting legacy in music and satire.
