Tom Lehrer

Thomas Andrew (Tom) Lehrer (born April 9, 1928) is an American singer-songwriter, satirist, pianist, and mathematician.

Lehrer the scholar

Lehrer earned his BA in mathematics (Magna Cum Laude) from Harvard University in 1947, when he was eighteen. He received his MA the next year, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He taught classes at MIT, Harvard and Wellesley. He remained in Harvard's doctoral program for several years, taking time out for his musical career and to work as a researcher at Los Alamos, New Mexico. He joined the Army from 1955 to 1957, working at the National Security Agency. All of these experiences eventually became fodder for songs: "Fight Fiercely, Harvard", "The Wild West Is Where I Want To Be" and "It Makes a Fellow Proud to Be a Soldier", respectively.

Related Topics:
Harvard University - 1947 - Phi Beta Kappa - MIT - Harvard - Wellesley - Los Alamos - New Mexico - National Security Agency

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In 1960, Lehrer returned to full-time studies at Harvard, receiving a PhD in mathematics. In 1972, he joined the faculty of the University of California, Santa Cruz, teaching an introductory course entitled "The Nature of Mathematics" to liberal-arts majors—"Math for Tenors", according to Lehrer. He also taught a class in musical theater.

Related Topics:
1960 - 1972 - University of California, Santa Cruz

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