Rambert, Dame Marie (1888-1982), was a Polish-born ballet dancer, teacher, and director. Rambert played a major role in the development of English ballet. She taught and inspired many of the greatest figures in English ballet, including the choreographer Frederick Ashton and the dancers Pearl Argyle and Hugh Laing. She also directed her own ballet company. Rambert married the popular British playwright Ashley Dukes in 1918. She opened a ballet school in 1920 and founded the Ballet Rambert dancing company in 1926 with Dukes providing important support.
Marie Rambert was born on Feb. 20, 1888, in Warsaw, Poland. Her real name was Cyvia Rambam. For a short time, she danced with the famous Russian ballet manager Sergei Diaghilev’s company, the Ballets Russes. Rambert settled in England in 1914. She was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1962. Dame Marie died on June 12, 1982.
