# Vicki Baum

> Austrian writer (1888–1960)

**Wikidata**: [Q93444](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q93444)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicki_Baum)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vicki-baum

## Summary

Vicki Baum (born Hedwig Baum) was an Austrian-born writer and musician who became a naturalized United States citizen. Active in the early to mid-20th century, she is recognized for her work as a novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. In addition to her literary career, she was a professional harpist trained in Vienna.

## Biography

*   **Born:** January 24, 1888
*   **Died:** August 29, 1960
*   **Nationality:** Austrian; United States
*   **Education:** University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
*   **Known for:** Writing, screenwriting, journalism, and music
*   **Field(s):** Literature, Journalism, Music
*   **Aliases:** Hedwig Baum, Vika Baum, Vicki Prels, Vicki Lert

## Contributions

Vicki Baum's contributions spanned multiple disciplines within the arts and communications:
*   **Literature and Writing:** As a writer, she produced literary works and communicated ideas through written words, contributing to the body of literature (the set of all literary works).
*   **Screenwriting:** She worked as a screenwriter, writing scripts for films.
*   **Journalism:** She worked as a journalist, engaging in the investigation and reporting of events, issues, and trends to a broad audience.
*   **Music:** As a musician and harpist, she performed music, contributing to the art form that uses sound to create aesthetic experiences.

## FAQs

**What were Vicki Baum's primary occupations?**
She was a writer, screenwriter, journalist, harpist, and musician.

**Where was Vicki Baum educated?**
She attended the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, a university located in Austria.

**What was her citizenship status?**
She held citizenship in both Austria and the United States.

**Did Vicki Baum use any pseudonyms?**
Yes, she was also known by the aliases Vicki Prels and Vicki Lert, as well as the alternative spellings Hedwig Baum and Vika Baum.

## Why They Matter

Vicki Baum represents a distinct transatlantic cultural figure whose influence bridged European and American arts. By maintaining careers in both the literary world and the music industry—specifically as a harpist—she demonstrated a versatility that allowed her to contribute to high culture across different mediums. Her background in journalism informed her writing, enabling her to reach a broad audience with her work. Her transition from Austrian citizenship to American citizenship reflects the broader shift of cultural figures to the United States during the 20th century.

## Notable For

*   **Dual Citizenship:** Holding nationality in both Austria and the United States.
*   **Multidisciplinary Arts Career:** Achieving recognition as both a writer (literature) and a musician (music).
*   **Screenwriting:** Contributing to the film industry as a screenwriter.
*   **Journalistic Background:** Working in journalism, investigating and reporting on events and trends.
*   **Musical Expertise:** Being a skilled harpist and musician in the art of sound.
*   **Education:** Attending the prestigious University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
*   **Use of Pseudonyms:** Writing under the names Vicki Prels and Vicki Lert.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Vicki Baum was born Hedwig Baum on January 24, 1888. She was also known by the alias Vika Baum. Her life spanned until August 29, 1960. She was a human entity (Homo sapiens) recognized primarily for her creative output.

### Education and Musical Training
Baum received her formal education at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. This institution, located in Vienna, Austria, was founded in 1817 (with official inception dates noted as 1817 and 1819). Her studies here laid the foundation for her technical proficiency as a harpist and musician.

### Career in Writing and Journalism
Baum was a prolific writer and journalist. As a writer, she used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works, contributing to the field of literature. Her work in journalism involved the investigation and reporting of events, issues, and trends to a broad audience. She utilized specific pseudonyms for some of her work, including Vicki Prels and Vicki Lert.

### Career in Film
Expanding her writing into the visual arts, Baum worked as a screenwriter. In this role, she wrote scripts for films, applying her literary skills to the screen.

### Musical Career
In addition to her writing, Baum was a dedicated musician and harpist. As a musician, she composed, conducted, or performed music, engaging with the art form that uses sound to create expressive and aesthetic experiences. Her specific instrument, the harp, defined her unique position within the music industry.

### Nationality and Location
Baum's nationality and citizenship were associated with both Austria and the United States. While born in Austria, a country in Central Europe known for its high standard of living and cultural heritage, she later held citizenship in the United States, a sovereign federal republic located primarily in North America.

### Affiliations
*   **Alma Mater:** University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
*   **Fields of Work:** Literature, Journalism, Music
*   **Associated Countries:** Austria, United States

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Handbuch der österreichischen Kinder- und Jugendbuchautorinnen
3. Verbrannt, verboten, vergessen
4. Lexikon deutschsprachiger Schriftstellerinnen im Exil 1933 bis 1945
5. KALLIOPE Austria
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. BnF authorities
8. [Vicki Baum 1888-1960. Deutsches Historisches Museum](https://www.dhm.de/lemo/biografie/biografie-vicki-baum.html)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. MusicBrainz
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CiNii Research
13. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-115444)
14. SNAC
15. Internet Broadway Database
16. filmportal.de
17. FemBio database
18. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
19. AlKindi
20. Babelio
21. Proleksis Encyclopedia
22. Munzinger Personen
23. Women Writers of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. [Source](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-476-03702-2_30)
26. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11890653s)
27. CONOR.SI
28. [LIBRIS. 2014](https://libris.kb.se/katalogisering/vs688xzd00bnrpw)
29. [Source](https://mix-n-match.toolforge.org/#/entry/63766073)
30. [Source](https://mediaarts-db.bunka.go.jp/id/C414232)
31. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
32. Catalogo of the National Library of India