L. Frank Baum

Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919) was an American author best known for *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* (1900) and the Oz series. Born in Chittenango, New York, he worked in several fields before turning to writing. He married Maud Gage in 1882. Baum achieved wide popularity with his Oz books, beginning with Dorothy’s journey to the Emerald City, and he continued to expand the fantasy world in numerous sequels. He also wrote other children’s books and stories, sometimes under pseudonyms. Baum died in 1919 in Hollywood, California, leaving a lasting mark on American children’s literature.