Rogers in "L. Frank Baum: Creator of Oz, A Biography." Baum (who disliked his first name Lyman) grew up in Chittenango, N.Y., 15 miles east of Syracuse. He was the seventh of nine children.

May 6, 1919(1919-05-06) (aged 62) Hollywood, California Lyman Frank Baum (May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919) was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.