Lyman Frank Baum was an American writer best known for his series of 14 books about the land of Oz, starting with the most famous title, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum wrote 41 other novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and more than 40 scripts. He had an intense interest in seeing his books performed on stage and screen; his dreams were realized when the 1939 adaptation of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz became a landmark film whose popularity continues to the present day.Born in 1856 and raised in upstate New York, Baum was one of nine children of devout Methodist parents. His father was a successful businessman. Baum, who was a sickly child, nonetheless had happy memories of growing up at his parents' large estate. Like his siblings, he was tutored at home. His father encouraged him to develop his writing talent, at one point buying him an inexpensive printing press that he and his younger brother used to publish a journal that they gave away to family and friends.

After working unsuccessfully as a playwright and theater producer in his home state, Baum moved with his wife to South Dakota, where they opened a retail store and he edited the local newspaper. After the newspaper failed in 1891, they moved with their four sons to Chicago, where he obtained a position as a reporter for The Evening Post.The first Oz book was published in 1900 and was a best-seller for the next two years. While continuing to write, Oz also nurtured his interest the performative arts. Among other efforts, many of which were not successful, Baum at one point founded a movie studio in Los Angeles devoted to children's films.On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a stroke. He died the next day at the age of 62. His final Oz book, Glinda of Oz, was published a year later.

The Oz series continued to grow after his death, with new titles added by other authors -- notably Ruth Plumly Thompson, who herself wrote 21 Oz books.