L. Frank Baum wrote a young adult book titled Aunt Jane's Nieces in 1906, which was published by Reilly & Britton under the pseudonym "Edith Van Dyne." An affluent, old, troublesome invalid named Jane Merrick is getting ready to pass away. To decide who would inherit her fortune, she invites her three adolescent nieces to come to see her. Beth is direct and harsh, Patsy is frank and talented, and Louise is kind but cunning. Aunt Jane decides to prepare a will giving most of the estate to Patsy as her health continues to decline. Jane should hand it off to Kenneth, Patsy resists, and she is adamant.
Thomas left Jane his inheritance in a quick will, providing that she might enjoy it while she lived, and then it would pass to his sister and her offspring. No one has received a monetary bequest; Kenneth is the only owner of the money. Days later, when Uncle John is performing business at the bank, he runs into him and finds out the truth. John notes that they all believed he was impoverished at home and that he just did not contradict them. He offers to leave both of the other girls' families considerable sums of money, which may subsequently be passed on to the nieces.
Lyman Frank Baum was an American writer best known for his children's books, especially The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its sequels. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series, plus 41 other novels, 83 short stories, above 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made many attempts to lead his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a milestone of 20th-century cinema. Baum was born on 15 May 1856, near Syracuse, New York. His father, Benjamin, was a rich oil businessman, and young Frank developed in comfort. As a young child Frank was teached at home with his kins, but at the age of 12 he was sent to study at Peekskill Military Academy. He followed a variety of careers varying from acting to newspaper reporting to theatrical management to writing plays. Baum married Maud Gage, daughter of Matilda Joslyn Gage, a famous women's suffrage campaigner. His famous works are Mother Goose, Father Goose, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, The Master Key, etc. He made and headed The Oz Film Manufacturing Company in 1914. Baum expired on 6 May 1919 and was buried in Glendale, California.