L. Frank Baum's Real Name: Lyman Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum → Lyman Frank Baum
Quick answer: L. Frank Baum's real name was Lyman Frank Baum. He was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York, and died on May 6, 1919. He disliked "Lyman" and went by Frank.
Lyman to L. Frank
Britannica and the Library of Congress note he was born Lyman Frank Baum; Biography.com adds he hated the first name Lyman (after an uncle) and preferred Frank, billing as L. Frank Baum (Britannica; LOC today-in-history; Biography.com).
After careers in theater, journalism, and retail, he succeeded with children's books: Father Goose (1899) then The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900).
Oz and pen names
Demand produced thirteen more Oz novels by Baum, plus other children's series—some under pen names such as Floyd Akers and Edith Van Dyne (LOC). The 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland made Dorothy and Oz immortal worldwide. Baum died in Hollywood in 1919; other writers continued Oz afterward.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (annotated or classic edition) The Wizard of Oz (1939) Blu-ray Baum biographies / Oz complete collections
FAQ
What was L. Frank Baum's real name?
Lyman Frank Baum.
Why L. Frank?
He disliked Lyman and used Frank with a first initial.
When did he live?
May 15, 1856 – May 6, 1919.
What is his most famous book?
*The Wonderful Wizard of Oz* (1900).
Did he use pen names?
Yes—including Floyd Akers and Edith Van Dyne.
Did he write only one Oz book?
No—he wrote many Oz sequels.
Sources
Further reading: Wikipedia