L. Frank Baum

Lyman Frank Baum was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York. After a varied career as a journalist, actor, and traveling salesman, he turned to writing. His most famous work, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), became an instant success, leading to thirteen sequels. Baum's Oz series, including The Marvelous Land of Oz, Ozma of Oz, and Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz, created a richly detailed fantasy world that broke from traditional European fairy tales by featuring a distinctly American heroine and themes of self-reliance. He also wrote under several pseudonyms and produced works in other genres. Baum's literary legacy endures through the enduring popularity of Oz, which has inspired countless adaptations, most notably the 1939 film. He died on May 6, 1919, in Hollywood, California.