Vaslav Nijinsky

Born Vaslav Fomich Nijinsky (March 12, 1888 - April 8, 1950) was a ballet dancer and choreographer, born in Kiev, Ukraine.

Considered among the great male dancers in history, he studied at the Imperial Dancing Academy, Saint Petersburg, Russia, and would become celebrated for his virtuosity and for the depth and intensity of his characterizations. His ability to perform apparently gravity-defying leaps was also legendary.

He later went to Paris and danced as a leading member of the original Ballets Russes, in its first season, under the direction of Russian ballet producer Serge Diaghilev.

His spectacular career ended in 1919, when he could no longer perform due to severe schizophrenia. His wife took him to Switzerland where he was in and out of psychiatric hospitals for the remainder of his life.

He died in a London clinic on April 8, 1950 and was buried in London until 1953 when his body was then moved to Cimètiere de Montmartre[?], Paris, France.