Tom Lehrer Wiki, Age, Wife, Songs, Death, Net Worth, Legacy

Tom Lehrer Wikipedia | Biography

Tom Lehrer was a satirical songwriter and mathematician educated at Harvard. He was born on April 9, 1928, in Manhattan to a secular Jewish family. At age 15, he entered Harvard and earned his AB by 18 and his MA by 19. Meanwhile, he taught mathematics at MIT, Harvard, Wellesley, and UC Santa Cruz. He self-released his first albums like Songs by Tom Lehrer and More of Tom Lehrer in the 1950s.

His trademark songs such as “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” “The Elements,” and “The Masochism Tango” captured sharp satire and dark humor. In 1965, he recorded That Was the Year That Was performing topical pieces from That Was the Week That Was. After the 1960s, he withdrew from performing and prioritized teaching. Moreover, he remained a private figure who valued simplicity and integrity.

In October 2020, Lehrer placed his music and lyrics into the public domain. Later, in November 2022, he released all recording and performing rights, making his full catalog freely accessible. Then he died on July 27, 2025, at age 97, at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Today, his legacy endures through witty satire, academic excellence, and public‑domain generosity.

Tom Lehrer Age – How Old Was Tom Lehrer When He Died?

Tom Lehrer lived to age 97, blending careers as a mathematician, satirical songwriter, and Harvard-educated professor. Born on April 9, 1928, he inspired audiences with witty songs like “The Elements” and “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.” Moreover, he taught mathematics at UC Santa Cruz. And when he died on July 27, 2025, he was 97. His age emphasized a life rich in talent and integrity.

Tom Lehrer Wife – Did Tom Lehrer Ever Marry?

Tom Lehrer never married and had no wife or children. He confirmed, “Not guilty on both counts” in interview replies. Moreover, his personal focus remained on mathematics, music, and teaching. Consequently, he never formed a marital relationship. Today, fans note his independent life and devotion to satirical songwriting and academia.

Tom Lehrer Songs – Signature Satirical Hits Now in Public Domain

Tom Lehrer wrote sharp satirical songs in the 1950s and 1960s. He performed witty, musical commentary on politics, religion, and science. For example, he blended chemistry and comedy in “The Elements”, naming every known element to a catchy Gilbert and Sullivan tune. Meanwhile, “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park” offered dark humor in a jaunty melody. Likewise, “The Masochism Tango” paired taboo themes with Latin rhythm.

Moreover, he tackled education reform in “New Math”, explaining arithmetic changes with dry wit. He also lampooned Catholic ritual in “The Vatican Rag”, mocking Vatican II updates.

In October 2020, Lehrer placed all his lyrics into the public domain. Then, in November 2022, he relinquished complete music and performing rights. Consequently, nearly one hundred songs—his full satirical catalog—became free for public reuse.

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Notable Tom Lehrer Songs:

• The Elements
• Poisoning Pigeons in the Park
• The Masochism Tango
• New Math
• The Vatican Rag

These songs define his legacy as a satirical songwriting genius embraced by generations.

The Elements by Tom Lehrer

Tom Lehrer performed “The Elements” in 1959, reciting all known chemical elements to a Gilbert and Sullivan tune. He wrote the lyrics as a list song, blending satirical humor, science, and rapid-fire pace. Moreover, he arranged it to the melody of the “Major-General’s Song” from The Pirates of Penzance . He listed elements up to nobelium (atomic number 102), though sixteen more elements appeared later.

Notably, Lehrer joked in live shows that Aristotle’s four elements once sufficed. For example, he once sang earth, air, fire, and water only. Fans attempted his tongue‑twisting lyrics; Daniel Radcliffe even sang it on The Graham Norton Show.

Importantly, Lehrer’s entire catalog, including “The Elements”, entered the public domain in October 2020 and November 2022. Consequently, educators and science enthusiasts now freely use and share the song.

Tom Lehrer Albums – Key Releases, Live Albums

Tom Lehrer released five notable albums during his active music career. He recorded all on his own label, Lehrer Records. Moreover, his entire catalog entered the public domain in October 2020 and November 2022, making full album downloads freely available.

Main Albums:

• Songs by Tom Lehrer (1953) — his debut studio album, recorded in one hour in Boston
• More of Tom Lehrer (1959) — studio follow‑up featuring signature satirical songs

Live Albums:

• An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer (1959) — recorded at Harvard’s Sanders Theater
• Revisited (1960) — live versions of his early songs plus bonus tracks from The Electric Company era
• That Was the Year That Was (1965) — topical satire tied to NBC’s TW3 show, charting on Billboard

Furthermore, he issued compilation sets like The Remains of Tom Lehrer (2000), which included unreleased tracks and full discography. These albums helped cement his status as a satirical comedy music icon.

Tom Lehrer Death & Cause of Death – Facts on His Passing at 97

How did Tom Lehrer die?

Tom Lehrer died on July 27, 2025, at age 97. He passed away at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He had no reported illness or medical condition. Moreover, official sources have not revealed a specific cause of death. Some obituaries simply state he died peacefully at home.

For decades, Lehrer focused on mathematics and satirical songwriting. Even as he remained active until late life, he kept his health matters private. Consequently, no formal cause of death appeared in public records. Fans and media remembered him as a sharp‑witted satirist, Harvard mathematician, and UC Santa Cruz educator.

Thus, people know his legacy and age but not the medical reason for his death. His lasting contributions continue to inspire.

Tom Lehrer Net Worth

Tom Lehrer’s net worth remains unknown, likely modest due to limited commercial focus. He self-released music and sold albums in the 1950s, but avoided major record contracts. Moreover, he placed all his songs into the public domain, relinquishing royalties in 2020 and 2022. Consequently, he did not profit from licensing or royalties in later life. His legacy reflects artistic generosity, not financial accumulation.