Tom Lehrer

From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

Tom Lehrer is an American mathematics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and writer of satirical songs. He first gained notoriety in the 50's and 60's with songs satirizing nuclear proliferation and black humored songs such as Poisoning Pigeons in the Park. He was introduced to a younger, and perhaps less literate, audience through songs written for the PBS children's program, The Electric Company.

Sued for defaming Wernher von Braun, he retired from songwriting with the comment, "In a world in which Henry Kissinger wins the Nobel Peace Prize, there is no room for satire."