L. Frank Baum

Birth Name: Lyman Frank Baum

Date of Birth: May 15, 1856

Place of Birth: Chittenango, New York, U.S.

Date of Death: May 6, 1919

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, German, as well as distant Welsh

L. Frank Baum was an American author, theatre producer, playwright, and screenwriter. He is known for his book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), and its thirteen sequels, including Tik-Tok of Oz. He also wrote 41 other novels, including The Master Key, Mary Louise in the Country, and other Bluebird books; and Aunt Jane’s Nieces at Work; as well as almost a hundred short stories, over 200 poems, and 42 scripts. He also used the pen names George Brooks, Louis F. Baum, Laura Bancroft, Suzanne Metcalf, Capt. Hugh Fitzgerald, Schuyler Staunton, Edith Van Dyne, Floyd Akers, and John Estes Cooke. His works predicted, in some ways, television, wireless phones, laptops, advertising of clothes, women in action-heavy roles, and augmented reality.

L. Frank was the son of Cyntha Ann (Stanton) and Benjamin Ward Baum, who was involved in barrel-making, Pennsylvania oil drilling, and real estate. His paternal grandfather was of German origin. His mother was of Colonial American descent, with deep roots in New England, particularly Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. His family was wealthy, and L. Frank was raised on the estate Rose Lawn, in Mattydale, upstate New York.

He was married to Maud Gage Baum, until his death. The couple ran a store in South Dakota, where he edited and published a newpspaper; he was also a reporter in Chicago. The couple had four children, including lawyer, soldier, writer, and film producer Frank Joslyn Baum, and author Harry Neal Baum. His great-grandson, through Frank, is stockbroker Roger S. Baum.

L. Frank’s paternal grandfather was The Rev. John Baum (the son of Philip/Philippus F. Baum and Catherine Barth). The Rev. John was born in New York, and was of German descent. He is described as a “Methodist circuit-riding minister.” Philip was the son of Philip/Philipp Baum and Catherine/Catharina. L. Frank’s great-grandmother Catherine was the daughter of Nicholas Bort/Barth and Sophronia Moyer.

L. Frank’s paternal grandmother was Magdalena “Lany”/Lena Elwood/Ellwood (the daughter of Benjamin Elwood and Elizabeth Ward). Magdalena was born in New York.

L. Frank’s maternal grandfather was Oliver Stanton (the son of The Rev. Robert Stanton and Elizabeth Palmer). Oliver was born in Connecticut. The Rev. Robert was the son of Joshua Stanton and Hannah Randall. Elizabeth was the daughter of Oliver Palmer and Mary.

L. Frank’s maternal grandmother was Rhoda Underwood (the daughter of Nehemiah Underwood and Rhoda Cotes). L. Frank’s grandmother Rhoda was born in Connecticut. Nehemiah was the son of Nehemiah Underwood and Anna Marcy.

Sources: Genealogies of L. Frank Baum – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com

L. Frank Baum on the 1860 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
L. Frank Baum on the 1870 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
L. Frank Baum on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

L. Frank’s paternal grandparents, John Baum and Magdalena “Lany”/Lena Elwood/Ellwood, on the 1850 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of L. Frank Baum (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://famouskin.com