L. Frank Baum

The Man Behind the Magic

• Full Name: Lyman Frank Baum (though he preferred Frank)
• Lived: May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919 (aged 62)
• Occupation: Primarily a writer, but also dabbled in journalism, theatre, and filmmaking

Literary Life

• Genre: Primarily children's fantasy, but also wrote other genres under pseudonyms
• Famous Works: The Oz series, most notably "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (1900)
• Other Works: Wrote over 40 other novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts.
• Pen Names: Used various pseudonyms throughout his career, including Edith Van Dyne, Floyd Akers, and Laura Bancroft.
• Influences: Inspired by American fairytales and his own experiences in the Midwest. Some believe the Oz stories contained social commentary.
• Legacy: Considered a pioneer of American children's fantasy literature. The Oz series continues to be popular and has inspired numerous adaptations.

Beyond the Books

• Early Life: Had a varied career before writing success, including journalism, sales, and theatre production.
• Showmanship: Passionate about bringing his stories to life through theatrical adaptations, some featuring Oz characters.
• Interesting Fact: His last words, spoken to his wife, were "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a possible reference to the Oz world.