Dame Ninette de Valois (June 6, 1898 - March 8, 2001) was the Irish founder of London's renowned Royal Ballet. Born Edris Stannus in Baltibouys , Ireland, Stannus began dancing in 1908 at age ten, and became noticed throughout England because of her graceful movements. She legally changed her name to Ninette de Valois in 1921. She retired in 1926 at age 28 in order to promote ballet throughout Europe.
In 1928 however she was engaged by Lilian Baylis to be director of her Sadler's Wells Ballet. Under de Valois' direction this company grew to became the "Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet Company" then split to become the "Birmingham Royal Ballet" and Covent Garden's "Royal Ballet".
De Valois was awarded the French Légion d'honneur in 1950, and was made Dame of the British Empire in 1951. She continued to make public appearances until her death at age 102. Rudolf Nureyev, the noted Soviet dancer, was one of her many students.