Author: Dartington Trust

Large and ebullient and the wearer of loud waistcoats, John was for many people the outward face of the Summer School.

John Wales (1904-1981) remains a key figure in Dartington's rich history, most notably for his role in founding of Dartington Hall School.

Kay was Leonard Elmhirst’s secretary and was a person of remarkable influence and ability. It was Kay who was responsible for the sculptor, Willi Soukop, coming to Dartington from Vienna in 1934.

German ballet director Kurt Jooss (1901-79) came to Dartington in 1934 with his dance company the Ballets Jooss and the Jooss/Leeder School of Dance.

Mark Tobey achieved his greatest acclaim as a painter after he left Dartington to return to America, but continued a close correspondence with the Elmhirsts until the last years of his life.

It is doubtful that anyone knew more about this place, its people and its history than Mary Bride, whose career included time as Dorothy Elmhirst's personal secretary.

Michael is the son of John Dower, architect and planner, who worked with Leonard Elmhirst at PEP (Political and Economic Planning), and in campaigns to create national parks between the two world wars.

It has been said that Michael, a 'one-man think tank and as an inventor of social institutions', has had more influence on British public life than anyone else this century.

Michel Chekhov (1891-1955) was the nephew of Anton Chekhov, the playwright, and came to Dartington from Russia as a refugee in 1928.

Percy Cane came to work at Dartington in 1946 with an established and impressive body of work behind him - and built the York stone steps in our gardens, amongst other features.