Does anyone know of a website where I can become familiar with ballroom dance history and famous/competitive dancers? Is there a website of the latest news on competitive dance?

Which country do you live in ?-- The states and the UK both have publications .

Xtina. There are two book by Victor Silvester both have in the first few chapters the history of Modern Ballroom Dancing. Victor Silvester introduced the Natural Turn in the Waltz. And was a founder and President of the Imperial Society. One book is called Modern Bllroom Dancing. History and Practice. Michael Barr and Vicky are pictured on the cover.The other is Modern Ballroom Dancing. Both books by Victor Silvester. I don't think any web-site would give as much history of those early days. He was there and part of it.

Actually-- it was a one, Michael Barrington, who came up with the notion-- Victor was the first to demonstrate the Natural in public.

Terence2. From the great man himself Victor Silvester. The feeling that something was lacking in this dance spread abroad but my partner and I were the first among the post war English dancers to master the full Natural Turn and introduced it into the Waltz at the first World
Championships ever held in London,which we were very proud to win.
That was in December 1922. On that day the Modern Waltz was born
In those same World Championships of 1922 saw the end of the Cross Behind step in the Foxtrot, and the substitution of the Feather.
The first comittee of the Ballroom Branch of the Imperial Society was formed by five people. Josephine Bradly.Eve Tynegate - Smith. Murriel Simmons. Lisle Humpheys and Victor Silvester.