Abstract
James Harvey D'Egville, dancer, choreographer and man of the theatre, was the only British choreographer of note on the international ballet scene between John Weaver in the early years of the 18 th century, and Anton Dolin and Ninette de Valois in the early 20th. During his sixty-year career in the theatre he worked with many of the most illustrious dancers and choreographers of his day, he was a pupil of both Dauberval and Noverre; he danced with Vestris, Didelot, Vigano, and Aumer; and brought both Deshayes and Blasis to London. This thesis examines D'Egville's contribution to the English ballet through a study of his theatrical family background, training, career, and his works for the theatre, and attempts to explain his comparative invisibility in the 20th century.