de Valois, Ninette (1898–2001)

Irish choreographer, dancer, and teacher. In setting up the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1931 (later the Royal Ballet and Royal Ballet School) she was, along with choreographer Frederick Ashton, one of the architects of British ballet. Among her works are Job (1931), The Rake's Progress (1935), Checkmate (1937), and The Prospect Before Us (1940), revived by the Birmingham Royal Ballet in honour of her 100th birthday in June 1998. She was reverentially and affectionately known as ‘Madam’ in the ballet world.

She worked with Sergei Diaghilev in Paris (1923–25) before opening a dance academy in London in 1926. She was created a DBE in 1951.