Denby, Edwin (1870–1929)

US lawyer. His tenure as secretary of the navy (1921–24) was tainted by his alleged involvement in the Teapot Dome Scandal. Although not impeached, he resigned his office after encountering widespread criticism.

He was born in Evansville, Indiana.

Denby, Edwin (1903–1983)

US dance critic and poet. He regarded himself as a poet, but earned his living as a dance critic, writing articles for magazines and reviews for newspapers. He published books on dance and four volumes of poetry including Collected Poems (1975).

He was born in China, the son of the US consul in Shanghai, and was educated at Harvard and the University of Vienna where he studied dance. He wrote for Modern Music and the New York Herald Tribune. He went freelance and wrote for such magazines as Dance Magazine and Nation, and was known for his striking metaphors and exacting reviews. An early supporter of George Balanchine's choreography, he wrote Looking at the Dance (1949) and Dancers, Buildings and People in the Street (1965). He committed suicide.