Ninette de Valois (of its true name Edris Stannus ) is a dancer and choreographer born with Baltibouys (Ireland) the June 6th 1898 and died in London the March 8th 2001.

It started to dance at the ten years age, and was noticed in England for the grace of its movements. It took the name of Ninette de Valois in 1913. It took its retirement in 1926 to promote the Ballet in Europe.

In 1928 it nevertheless was engaged by Lilian Baylis to direct its ballet Sadler' S Wells. Under its direction the company increases to become the “ Sadler' S Wells Royal Ballet Company ” which divided thereafter to form the “ Birmingham Royal Ballet ” and the “ Covent Garden' S Royal Ballet ”.

It is the founder of the Academy off Choreographic Arts which will give rise to later the Royal Ballet School of London.

It accepted the Légion of honor in 1950 and was made “ Dame ” in the Ordre of the British Empire in 1951.