The Elements RIP Tom Lehrer
Posted in Chemistry, Events dear boy. Events at 12:00 on 30 July 2025
The songwriting satirist Tom Lehrer has died. He kind of gave up on performing after 1960, though, going back to teaching mathematics.
To Chemistry teachers (one of which I was once) his listing of the contents of the Periodic Table of Elements to the tune of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Major General’s Song was of course an absolute gift.
Here’s Tom performing the song live in Copenhagen, with an addition – and addendum.
Tom Lehrer: The Elements
His satire is more in evidence on this anti-nuclear war piece, presumably from the same performance as above.
Tom Lehrer: We Will All Go Together When We Go
He had a sly humour.
Tom Lehrer: I Got it From Agnes
Thomas Andrew (Tom) Lehrer: 9/4/1928 – 26/7/2025. So it goes.
Tags: Chemistry, Gilbert And Sullivan, Major General's Song, The Elements, Tom Lehrer
