Lehrer died at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Saturday, his longtime friend David Herder told the New York Times. Lehrer's career as a musician and revered social commentator was little more than a happy accident that began with composing ditties to amuse classmates at Harvard University.

Tom Lehrer, the musical comedy legend, mathematician and political satirist, has died at 97. He passed away July 26 at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, according to his longtime friend David Herder.