2002
Robert Baum
Robert A. Baum is a great-grandson of L. Frank Baum who has maintained and built upon the author’s own private collection. Bob contributed information and material for the L. Frank Baum display at the Frances Goldwyn Library in Hollywood in 1990; assisted the producers of the BBC’s In Search of Oz, Radio City Entertainment’s version of The Wizard of Oz, and other theatrical productions. His support of the television movie The Dreamer of Oz included loaning L. Frank Baum’s own copies of books and other materials for use in sets and as props. Bob wrote extensive forewords to the Baum Oz titles for publication by the Ann Arbor Media Group.
As a teacher, Bob used The Wizard of Oz as a teaching tool, and Baum’s life as a model of perseverance and courage. Since retiring from formal education, Bob and his wife, Clare, have made appearances all over the country dressed in character as Frank and Maud Baum.
Bob has served on the Board of Directors of the International Wizard of Oz Club. He contributes regularly to The Baum Bugle and has made family photos, bibliographical information, and other material available to the Club for publication.