L. Frank Baum

L. Frank Baum was born into a prosperous family in Chittenango, New York, on May 15, 1856. Raised on the family estate of Rose Lawn, Baum's early education was informal until he attended the Peekskill Military Academy, which he left due to health issues. Encouraged by his parents, he pursued his interests in writing and theatre, even building his own theatre in Richburg. Despite setbacks, including a fire that destroyed his theatre, Baum married Maud Gage in 1882 and relocated several times, eventually settling in Chicago where he found success with his literary and journalistic endeavors.

In 1897, Baum published his first children's book, "Mother Goose in Prose," followed by the immensely popular "Father Goose, His Book" in 1899. However, it was "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," published in 1900 and illustrated by W. W. Denslow, that brought him lasting fame. Baum continued to write prolifically, creating a total of fourteen books set in the fantastical land of Oz. Despite financial ups and downs, including failed business ventures and bankruptcy, Baum's legacy endures through his enduringly popular stories and their adaptations in theatre and film, culminating in the iconic 1939 movie adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz."