L. Frank Baum: The Wizard Behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Lyman Frank Baum, better known as L. Frank Baum, was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York—a small town east of Syracuse and west of Oneida. He was the son of my 6th cousin (5x removed) Cynthia Ann Stanton and her husband, Benjamin Ward Baum. This charming area of Upstate New York has long been home to many of my relatives—past and present.

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Early Life and Family Background

Frank was the seventh child of Cynthia and Benjamin, and one of only five to survive childhood. His father was a successful businessman, and the family lived comfortably on their estate, Rose Lawn, in what is now a suburb of Syracuse.

According to historical records, Frank was a sickly and imaginative child, often lost in daydreams. He and his siblings were homeschooled until age 12, when he was sent to the Peekskill Military Academy—a place he despised. After two years, he returned home due to “psycho-physical ailments” brought on by harsh discipline. This experience reminds me of the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz—brave at heart but wounded by fear.

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Early Writing and Creative Beginnings

Frank showed a love of storytelling early on. With his younger brother Henry, he published a small family newspaper, The Rose Lawn Home Journal, using an old printing press their father had bought.

At 17, he launched another publication, The Stamp Collector, and even wrote an 11-page guide titled Baum’s Stamp Dealer’s Directory. Frank also started a small stamp dealership with his friends—his first real business venture.

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A Natural Entertainer

Frank’s creative energy brightened the Baum household. He made Fourth of July celebrations unforgettable with elaborate fireworks displays enjoyed by family and neighbors. At Christmas, he dressed as Santa Claus, decorating the tree behind a blanket so that his family couldn’t see it until the big reveal—a charming precursor to the “man behind the curtain” moment in The Wizard of Oz.

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A Passion for Theatre

Theatre was one of Frank’s lifelong loves. Although he was once tricked by a local troupe into buying costumes in exchange for promised lead roles that never came, he couldn’t stay away from the stage for long.

In 1880, Frank’s father bought him a theatre in Richburg, New York, where he wrote, produced, and performed original plays—many featuring his own music. He even collaborated with his aunt, Katharine Grey, founder of the Syracuse Oratory School, offering lessons in acting, playwriting, and operettas.

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Marriage and Hardship

Frank married Maud Gage on November 9, 1882. Maud was the daughter of Matilda Joslyn Gage, a prominent suffragette and feminist leader.

Tragedy struck when Frank’s theatre in Richburg burned down during a performance of The Maid of Arran. Fittingly—and ironically—the play being performed when the fire started was called Matches. Many of his early scripts were lost in the blaze.

In 1888, Frank and Maud moved to Aberdeen, Dakota Territory, where he opened a general store called Baum’s Bazaar. His trusting nature led him to offer credit too freely, and when customers failed to pay, the store went bankrupt.

Frank then turned to journalism, becoming editor of The Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer. Unfortunately, some of his editorials from 1890–1891 included deeply troubling views about Native Americans—views that are painful to read today and stand in sharp contrast to the themes of empathy and acceptance found in The Wizard of Oz.

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A New Start in Chicago

After the paper failed in 1891, the Baums relocated to Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Frank worked for the Evening Post before launching a trade magazine, The Show Window, focused on retail displays and visual merchandising.

In 1897, he published Mother Goose in Prose, illustrated by Maxfield Parrish—a modest success that encouraged him to continue writing.

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The Road to Oz

Two years later, in 1899, Baum teamed up with illustrator W.W. Denslow to publish Father Goose, His Book. It became the best-selling children’s book of the year.

Then, in 1900, the pair created The Wonderful Wizard of Oz—a timeless tale that became both a critical and financial success. The book remained a bestseller for two years and inspired 13 sequels, all set in the magical Land of Oz.

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From Book to Stage

In 1902, Baum and Denslow collaborated with composer Paul Tietjens to adapt the story for the stage. The musical, simply titled The Wizard of Oz, premiered in Chicago before running for 293 performances on Broadway. It later toured the U.S. until 1911, cementing the story’s place in American popular culture.

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Final Years and Legacy

Frank Baum suffered a stroke on May 5, 1919, and passed away the next day at age 62. His final book, Glinda of Oz, was published posthumously in 1920.

He and Maud had four sons, two of whom—Frank and Harry Baum—followed in their father’s literary footsteps.

Despite his flaws and the troubling aspects of his worldview, Baum’s imaginative storytelling continues to inspire generations. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz remains one of the most beloved children’s books of all time, cherished by readers and audiences worldwide for over a century.

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A Family Connection Worth Noting

In a fascinating twist, the film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz starred Judy Garland—born Frances Ethel Gumm—who happens to be another cousin of mine. It’s a strange and wonderful coincidence, almost as magical as the Land of Oz itself.