Sergei Diaghilev, Russian critic and producer, founded Ballets Russes (b. 1872)
Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev ( dee-AG-il-ef; Russian: Серге́й Па́влович Дя́гилев, IPA: [sʲɪˈrɡʲej ˈpavləvʲɪdʑ ˈdʲæɡʲɪlʲɪf]; 31 March [O.S. 19 March] 1872 – 19 August 1929), usually referred to outside Russia as Serge Diaghilev, was a Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, from which many famous dancers and choreographers would arise.

The active years of Diaghilev’s career could be divided in two periods: the one in St Petersburg (1898—1906) and the other in emigration (1906–1929).