L. Frank Baum

Actor. Businessman. Newspaper editor. Filmmaker. Exotic poultry breeder. During his lifetime, L. Frank Baum tried and failed at many careers. Finally, at the age of 44, he wrote and published the book that made him one of the most beloved children's authors of all time: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a novel that first introduced young readers to the magical land of Oz. The book became the first in a series of 14 novels about Oz, and one of more than 40 other novels Baum wrote. His other works include nine fantasy novels, as well as numerous short stories and poems. Baum lived a life of exhilarating highs and crashing lows, of failures and triumphs, all while writing some of the most imaginative novels in children's literature.