Margot Fonteyn collection
Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) was born in Reigate and joined the Sadler’s Wells School in London in 1934. She became principal dancer for the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1935 and was the muse for many of Frederick Ashton’s ballets. Her partners included Robert Helpmann, Michael Somes and most famously Rudolf Nureyev. In 1954 she succeeded Adeline Genée as President of the RAD. In 1979 she was appointed Prima Ballerina Assoluta.
The collection includes a large number of photographs, some personal correspondence, press cuttings, programmes and souvenir brochures. Additional material may be found in the RAD archives and general files of press cuttings and programmes.