"She is only about twenty years of age, perfect in form, possessing all the graces that come to a refined young lady, and perhaps has received more compliments from the press than any other artist of her age in this or any foreign countries. She dances as much for what she gets out of it in physical culture, as she does to please her admirers. Her mother, a charming woman, is with her in all her engagements."

"She was recently abroad and while in London she was the attraction at the Coliseum. In speaking of her the Daily London Mirror says: 'The butterfly dance performed by pretty youthful Ruth Page is the finest thing of its kind we have seen, and this young lady should have a great future awaiting her.' The London Mail says, 'Nineteen year old Ruth Page, the wonderful dancer, is a most supple and alluring person.' The New York Evening Sun says, 'Ruth Page, the pretty youngster who was the memorable Infanta [in 1919], was delicious in Bal Masque pantomime and proved her spiritual right to the batik and wings of a butterfly.'"

Rarely has a prediction of success been so understated as that of the London Mail critic who wrote of "a great future awaiting" Miss Page. Her obituary in the New York Times (1991) noted that she "danced at the coronation of Emperor Hirohito of Japan in 1928 and gave programs in the Soviet Union in 1930." Over the next threescore years, she became -- and remained -- a dominant figure in dance as performer (frequently as danseuse), choreographer, director, and impresario--"a pioneer in creating works on American themes..." (Wikipedia). Her obituary in the Chicago Tribune referred to her as "the grand dame of dance in Chicago for nearly 70 years ..."

• www/ruthpage.org/legacy


• articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-04-08 / news/9102010290_1_ruth-page-dance-pioneer-martha-graham-study-dance
• www.danceheritage.org/treasures/page_essay_meglin.pdf- (requires Adobe, Foxit, or other pdf reader to open)