Author Biography
Lyman Frank Baum was born on May 15, 1856 in Chittenango, New York. He was educated at home until age twelve, when he was shipped off to the Peekskill Military Academy where he spent much of his time daydreaming. After only two years, he returned home and began writing. In 1882, Baum married Maud Gage, with whom he would spend the rest of his life. For a shot time, they opened a bazaar in the Dakota's, but his kindness at extending credit for items, caused the business to go bankrupt. In 1897, he published his first book, Mother Goose in Prose, which was a moderate success and in 1899, he wrote Father Goose, His Book, which was the best-selling children's book of that year. Baum wrote a total of fourteen Oz books, as well as a total of 59 novels including the Aunt Jane series under the name Edith Van Dyne, 83 short stories, and more than 200 poems. He also tried his hand at stage musicals and movies. He died from a stroke on May 6, 1919, just 9 days short of his 63rd birthday and a year before Glinda of Oz was published, leaving a legacy that would enchant generations.
