Lyman Baum

L. Frank Baum was born on May 15, 1856, in the state of New York. Before turning to writing, he pursued various careers—newspaper journalist, stage manager, actor, and traveling salesman. In 1899, he published his first book, "Father Goose: His Book," which became a bestseller, and in 1900, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which was an immediate success. It was adapted for the stage in 1902 and made into a film starring Judy Garland as Dorothy. The movie is considered one of the ten most popular in the history of American cinema. In another film adaptation in 1925, the role of the Tin Woodman was played by Oliver Hardy, the famous "Fatty." Frank Baum settled in Pasadena, California, and dedicated himself to writing fantasy stories for children. He also wrote many sequels to "The Wizard of Oz," but none matched the success of the first book. He passed away in Hollywood on May 6, 1919.