Lyman Frank Baum (May 15, 1856–May 6, 1919) was an American
author, actor, and independent filmmaker best known as the creator,
along with illustrator W. W. Denslow, of one of the most popular
books ever written in American children's literature, The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz, better known today as simply The Wizard of Oz. He
wrote thirteen sequels, nine other fantasy novels, and a plethora
of other works, and made numerous attempts to bring his works to
the stage and screen.