SPENCER, Margaret Ann (1920-2016)

Papers, photographs, memorabilia of professional ballroom dancer and choreographer Peggy Spencer (1920-2016), including photographs of performances with her dancing partner Frank Spencer and other renowned dancers of the period, [1940s-2016]

Margaret Ann 'Peggy' Spencer MBE (née Hull; 24 September 1920–25 May 2016]) was a British professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, competition adjudicator and organizer.

Peggy married Jack Spencer in 1940, and had two children. They divorced in 1947. Peggy married Frank Spencer in the late 1960s after a long professional association. For many years, she and Frank (a musician and a dancer before the Second World War) ran the Royston Ballroom in Penge, South London. Peggy Spencer was a regular TV dance commentator. She was a leading coach for competitive Latin dancers, and was influential in both Ballroom and Latin American branches of the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). Her ballroom formation team was twice invited to dance for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. For 40 years, her teams appeared in the BBC television series 'Come Dancing'.

Spencer choreographed a dance sequence for a Beatles video ('Your Mother Should Know'), and the tango for Rudolph Nureyev in the film 'Valentino' (1977). She was a choreographer for the Burn the Floor dance show, which combined ballroom dances with modern dance. She appeared on the BBC children's show 'Blue Peter', bringing young dancers from her classes to demonstrate. In 1993 she was the subject of the TV show 'This Is Your Life'.

In 2004 Spencer became President of the ISTD. She received multiple awards for her work in teaching and adjudicating in ballroom dancing, including eight Carl Alan Awards. She and Frank were both appointed MBE in 1977.

No further arrangement required.

APPLY TO ARCHIVIST

Deposited with Bishopsgate Institute by Helena Spencer, November 2017

Adlib catalogue and copy of handlist available in researcher's area.

Entry compiled by Colleen Cox

Photocopying, scanning and digital photography (without flash) is permitted for research purposes on completion of the Library's Copyright Declaration form and with respect to current UK copyright law.