Origins & Early Life

Tamara Platonovna Karsavina (Russian: Тамара Платоновна Карсавина; 9 March 1885 – 26 May 1978) was a Russian prima ballerina, renowned for her beauty, who was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and later of the Ballets Russes of Sergei Diaghilev. After settling in Britain at Hampstead in London, she began teaching ballet professionally and became recognised as one of the founders of modern British ballet. She assisted in the establishment of The Royal Ballet and was a founder member of the Royal Academy of Dance, which is now the world's largest dance-teaching organisation. Tamara Karsavina was born in Saint Petersburg, the daughter of Platon Konstantinovich Karsavin and his wife, Anna Iosifovna (née Khomyakova).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

A principal dancer and mime with the Imperial Ballet, Platon also taught as an instructor at the Imperial Ballet School (Vaganova Ballet Academy). He counted among his students Michel Fokine, a future dancing partner and paramour of his daughter. Karsavina's older brother Lev Platonovich Karsavin (1882–1952) became a religious philosopher and medieval historian. Her niece, Marianna Karsavina (1910–1993), married Ukrainian author and...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alban Berg — Contemporary (Born in 1885) (1885): Key figure of the Second Viennese School, blending Romanticism with twelve-tone technique.
• Charles George Gordon — Contemporary (Died in 1885) (1885): British General renowned for service in China and the Sudan, earning the title 'Chinese Gordon'.
• Chester W. Nimitz — Contemporary (Born in 1885) (1885): Fleet Admiral who commanded the US Pacific Fleet during WWII and pioneered naval logistics.
• Adolf Dassler — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• Ayumi Hamasaki — Contemporary (Born in 1978) (1978): Japanese Pop Icon, 'Empress of Pop,' best-selling solo artist in Japan.
• Balabhaskar — Contemporary (Born in 1978) (1978): Pioneering Indian violinist and composer known for promoting fusion music.
• Albrecht von Wallenstein — Shared historical date (02-25 · Died) (1634): Bohemian military leader and statesman, key figure in the Thirty Years' War.
• Benedetto Croce — Shared historical date (02-25 · Born) (1866): Italian idealist philosopher, historian, and political liberal.
• Alexander Pushkin — Shared historical date (05-26 · Born) (1799): Founder of modern Russian literature and a towering figure of the Romantic era.
• Bayezid II — Shared historical date (05-26 · Died) (1512): Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, known for consolidating power and resettling Sephardi Jews.
• 1885 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1885
• February 25 (02-25) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 25
• 1978 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1978
• May 26 (05-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 26