Selma Jeanne Cohen

Selma Jeanne Cohen was a prominent American dance historian, born in 1920 and passing away in 2005. Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to elevate the status of dance as a respected art form, equivalent to painting, music, and literature. As a historian, teacher, author, and editor, Cohen dedicated herself to promoting a deeper understanding and appreciation of dance.

Cohen's most notable achievement was serving as the founding editor of the International Encyclopedia of Dance, a comprehensive six-volume publication that was completed in 1998. This seminal work showcases her commitment to recognizing dance as a worthy subject of scholarly study. Through her efforts, Cohen helped to establish dance as a legitimate field of academic inquiry, paving the way for future generations of dance historians and scholars.