L. Frank Baum

American author Lyman Frank Baum (1856-1919) was born in Chittenango, New York. Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and 13 additional novels based on the places and people of Oz. Several times through the development of the series, he declared that he had written his last Oz book, and devoted himself to several other works of fantasy fiction based in other magical lands (including The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus). However, persuaded by popular demand, letters from children, (and perhaps a reluctant understanding of the power of branding), he each time returned to the series. All of his novels have fallen into public domain in most jurisdictions; many are available through Project Gutenberg.

Baum was a socialist and Oz is a barely disguised socialist utopia, as indicated in this quotation from The Emerald City of Oz:

"There were no poor people in the land of Oz, because there was no such thing as money, and all property of every sort belonged to the Ruler. Each person was given freely by his neighbours whatever he required for his use, which is as much as anyone may reasonably desire. Every one worked half the time and played half the time, and the people enjoyed the work as much as they did the play, because it is good to be occupied and to have something to do. There were no cruel overseers set to watch them, and no one to rebuke them or to find fault with them. So each one was proud to do all he could for his friends and neighbors, and was glad when they would accept the things he produced."