Harry Neal Baum was an American author and the third son of L. Frank Baum.
Background
His father dedicated his 1902 novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus to him. Raised in Chicago, Baum was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, 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.
Education
Baum, who received a Doctor of Philosophy in medieval history, wrote a number of history books for children. Baum received a Doctor of Philosophy in medieval history and wrote three history books for children and articles about his father.
Career
He worked in several advertising companies and ghostwrote the 1917 novel Mary Louise Solves a Mystery to satisfy his ill father"s publishing obligations. He coauthored with Olive Beaupre Miller 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.
L. dedicated his 1902 novel The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus to Harry. Because of L. "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. Baum married Mary Niles in 1910.
Baum retired to Bass Lake, Indiana, at which he managed the Wizard of Oz lodge.