Elssler, Fanny (1810-1884), Austrian dancer, one of the most celebrated names in ballet history. Born in Vienna, Austria, she was the daughter of a copyist and valet for the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn. At her debut at the Vienna Hoftheater in 1822 she met the Swedish-Italian ballerina Marie Taglioni, considered by critics Elssler’s greatest ballet rival. Throughout their careers the two dancers inspired heated arguments among critics; Taglioni became known as cool, ethereal, and sylphlike, and Elssler as the earthy and voluptuous woman.

Elssler debuted for the Paris Opéra in 1883, dancing the leading role in Jean Coralli’s La Tempête. In 1840 Elssler embarked on a tour of the United States that stretched from the originally planned three months to two years. In the United States she was greatly acclaimed and performed in front of U.S. President Martin Van Buren. Elssler’s contract with the Paris Opéra ended as a result of her prolonged stay in America, but she continued to dance throughout Europe until her retirement in 1851. Elssler perhaps is best known for her performance of fiery Hungarian, Polish, and Spanish character dances.