L. Frank Baum (1856-1919), American writer, born in Chittenango, New York. From 1880 to 1902 he was a newspaperman and began a series of books in which he created an original fairyland, the land of Oz, a world of fantastic characters and lighthearted adventure. The most famous of these books was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). In 1901 Baum adapted it as a musical extravaganza entitled The Wizard of Oz, and before his death Baum wrote 14 books about Oz. After his death various writers continued the series, producing scores of volumes. A musical film, The Wizard of Oz (1939), based on the original books by Baum, has become a classic.