L Frank Baum
1856 - 1919
L(yman) Frank Baum, born in Chittenango, New York, in 1856, tried his hand at various professions, including that of newspaper editor, crockery salesman, axle-grease manufacturer, and chicken farmer, until, at the age of forty, he discovered his true talent - the writing of fantastic tales. His most famous work, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", was published in 1900 and was followed by thirteen more full-length Oz novels, six short "Little Wizard Stories" and numerous other fantasies and pseudonymous books. In 1910, he moved to Hollywood with his wife and four sons. There they built "Ozcot", the home in which Baum lived until his death in 1919.