Harry Neal Baum
Encyclopedia
Harry Neal Baum is an American author and the third son of L. Frank Baum
. His father dedicated his 1902 novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
to him.
Baum, who received a Ph.D. in medieval history, wrote a number of history books for children. He worked in several advertising companies and ghostwrote
the 1917 novel Mary Louise Solves a Mystery to satisfy his ill father's publishing obligations.
, on December 18, 1889, to Maud Gage
and L. Frank Baum
. The third son of L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
, he was named "Harry Neal Baum" to honor Harry Baum and Hattie and William Neal, L. Frank Baum's brother, sister, and brother-in-law, respectively. His brothers were Frank Joslyn
, Robert Stanton, and Kenneth Gage.
the Book of History, a 1929 four-volume work published by The Bookhouse for Children. He served as a vice president of Burson-Marsteller
. He worked as an advertising manager at Fairbanks-Morse
before being employed at Gebhardt & Brockson, a Chicago-based advertising company.
to Harry. Because of L. Frank Baum's deteriorating health in 1917, he was unable to fulfill his obligations to his publishers. Therefore, Harry ghostwrote
the 1917 novel Mary Louise Solves a Mystery, which was part of The Bluebird Books
series, mimicking his father's style.
In 1944, Harry starred as President Woodrow Wilson
in the play The Time to Come produced by the Little Theater of Western Springs. He stated that he considered acting to be only a hobby. He had seen the opening production of The Wizard of Oz, which had been written by his father. Baum also served as the host of a number of annual meetings held by The International Wizard of Oz Club
. At the 1964 convention, he awarded a gold plaque, the annual club's annual Oz award, to its founder Justin Schiller who had established the club when he was thirteen years old.
Baum's married Mary Niles in 1910. In 1942, he married Brenda Holter, a pianist and composer who served as the president of Chicago's Musicians Club of Women.
Baum retired to Bass Lake, Indiana
, at which he managed the Wizard of Oz lodge. Upon his death, on June 7, 1967, he was survived by his wife, Brenda. He was also survived by sons Richard and Henry and daughters Ann and Judith, as well as 11 grandchildren.
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
. His father dedicated his 1902 novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a 1902 children's book, written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark.-Infancy, Youth, Motivation:...
to him.
Baum, who received a Ph.D. in medieval history, wrote a number of history books for children. He worked in several advertising companies and ghostwrote
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
the 1917 novel Mary Louise Solves a Mystery to satisfy his ill father's publishing obligations.
Early life
Raised in Chicago, Baum was born in Aberdeen, South DakotaAberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota, United States, about 125 mi northeast of Pierre. Settled in 1880, it was incorporated in 1882. The city population was 26,091 at the 2010 census. The American News is the local newspaper...
, on December 18, 1889, to Maud Gage
Maud Gage Baum
Maud Gage Baum was the wife of L. Frank Baum. Her mother was the suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage. In her early life, she attended a boys' high school and was raised to be headstrong....
and L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
. The third son of L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of...
, he was named "Harry Neal Baum" to honor Harry Baum and Hattie and William Neal, L. Frank Baum's brother, sister, and brother-in-law, respectively. His brothers were Frank Joslyn
Frank Joslyn Baum
Frank Joslyn Baum was a lawyer, soldier, writer, and film producer, though his attempts to continue the legacy of his father brought him lawsuit and estrangement from his family. Nonetheless, he became the first president of The International Wizard of Oz Club.He is best known as the author of To...
, Robert Stanton, and Kenneth Gage.
Career
Baum received a Ph.D. in medieval history and wrote three history books for children and articles about his father. He coauthored with Olive Beaupre MillerOlive Beaupre Miller
Olive Beaupre Miller was an American author, publisher and editor of children's literature.She received her B.A...
the Book of History, a 1929 four-volume work published by The Bookhouse for Children. He served as a vice president of Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller is a global public relations and communications firm headquartered in the United States. Burson-Marsteller operates 67 wholly owned offices and 71 affiliate offices in 98 countries across six continents...
. He worked as an advertising manager at Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks Morse and Company was a manufacturing company in the late 19th and early 20th century. Originally a weighing scale manufacturer, it later diversified into pumps, engines, windmills, locomotives and industrial supplies until it was merged in 1958...
before being employed at Gebhardt & Brockson, a Chicago-based advertising company.
The Wizard of Oz and personal life
L. Frank Baum, dedicated his 1902 novel The Life and Adventures of Santa ClausThe Life and Adventures of Santa Claus
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a 1902 children's book, written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by Mary Cowles Clark.-Infancy, Youth, Motivation:...
to Harry. Because of L. Frank Baum's deteriorating health in 1917, he was unable to fulfill his obligations to his publishers. Therefore, Harry ghostwrote
Ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. Celebrities, executives, and political leaders often hire ghostwriters to draft or edit autobiographies, magazine articles, or other written...
the 1917 novel Mary Louise Solves a Mystery, which was part of The Bluebird Books
The Bluebird Books
The Bluebird Books is a series of novels popular with teenage girls in the 1910s and 1920s. The series was begun by L. Frank Baum using his Edith Van Dyne pseudonym, then continued by at least three others, all using the same pseudonym. Baum wrote the first four books in the series, possibly with...
series, mimicking his father's style.
In 1944, Harry starred as President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
in the play The Time to Come produced by the Little Theater of Western Springs. He stated that he considered acting to be only a hobby. He had seen the opening production of The Wizard of Oz, which had been written by his father. Baum also served as the host of a number of annual meetings held by The International Wizard of Oz Club
The International Wizard of Oz Club
The International Wizard of Oz Club, Inc., was founded during 1957 by Justin G. Schiller, a then thirteen-year-old boy.The sixteen charter members, some of whom continue to make valuable contributions to the club, were garnered from the mailing list found among the papers of the recently deceased...
. At the 1964 convention, he awarded a gold plaque, the annual club's annual Oz award, to its founder Justin Schiller who had established the club when he was thirteen years old.
Baum's married Mary Niles in 1910. In 1942, he married Brenda Holter, a pianist and composer who served as the president of Chicago's Musicians Club of Women.
Baum retired to Bass Lake, Indiana
Bass Lake, Indiana
Bass Lake is a census-designated place in California and North Bend Townships, Starke County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,249 at the 2000 census...
, at which he managed the Wizard of Oz lodge. Upon his death, on June 7, 1967, he was survived by his wife, Brenda. He was also survived by sons Richard and Henry and daughters Ann and Judith, as well as 11 grandchildren.
External links
- Harry Neal Baum at The International Wizard of Oz ClubThe International Wizard of Oz ClubThe International Wizard of Oz Club, Inc., was founded during 1957 by Justin G. Schiller, a then thirteen-year-old boy.The sixteen charter members, some of whom continue to make valuable contributions to the club, were garnered from the mailing list found among the papers of the recently deceased...