Astor family, wealthy American family whose fortune, rooted in the fur trade, came to be centred on real estate investments in New York City.
John Jacob Astor (1763–1848) was the founder of the family fortune. His son, William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875), who inherited the major portion of the estate, continued his father’s program of investing in Manhattan real estate and greatly expanded the Astor Library. Stung by accusations that he was a slum landlord, he attempted to renovate some of the older tenements owned by the Astors. At the same time, he more than doubled the family fortune, leaving an estate valued at nearly $50 million.
John Jacob Astor (1822–90), son of William Backhouse Astor, increased the fortune to between $75 million and $100 million. He was a more active philanthropist than his predecessors, making substantial gifts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Trinity Church as well as to the Astor Library.
His son, William Waldorf Astor (1848–1919), was politically ambitious, but, after a stint in the New York state legislature and three years as U.S. minister to Italy, he moved permanently to England in 1890. He became a British subject in 1899, and in 1917 he became 1st Viscount Astor of Hever Castle. He used much of his wealth—aside from that spent building the Waldorf section of what eventually became the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel—restoring Hever Castle and funding conservative political causes in England.
John Jacob Astor (1864–1912) was a cousin of William Waldorf Astor and a great-grandson of the fur trader who had founded the family fortune. An inventor and a science fiction novelist, he was also responsible for building several great New York City hotels: the Astoria (later combined with the Waldorf), the Knickerbocker, and the St. Regis. He served as a director on the boards of several major U.S. corporations, but his career was cut short when he perished in the mid-Atlantic after the Titanic sank in 1912. His pregnant second wife, Madeleine, was also aboard the passenger liner, but she survived.
Waldorf Astor (1879–1952) served in the British Parliament (1910–19), and his Cliveden home was a meeting place during the late 1930s for Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and supporters of his policy of “appeasem*nt” toward Adolf Hitler. Astor’s wife, Nancy (1879–1964), was the first woman to sit in the House of Commons.
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Vincent Astor (1891–1959), son of the John Jacob Astor who built the well-known hotels, departed markedly from Astor family conservatism. He sold some Astor-owned properties to New York City under generous terms so that they might be converted into housing projects. In addition, he backed the New Deal, though temporarily, and supported other social reforms. He took an active role in managing the family real estate holdings, and during the last two decades of his life he headed the corporation that published Newsweek magazine.
John Jacob Astor (1886–1971), younger brother of Waldorf Astor, was the chief proprietor of the London newspaper The Times (1922–66).
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
As a historian and enthusiast deeply immersed in the annals of American history, particularly the intersection of wealth, society, and family dynamics, I bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the discussion on the Astor family. My passion for this subject is rooted in extensive research, academic study, and a genuine fascination with the intricate tapestry of familial legacies that have shaped the course of history.
Let's delve into the various concepts and individuals presented in the article:
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Astor Family Origins and Wealth Accumulation: The Astor family, a prominent American dynasty, amassed its fortune through the fur trade, establishing a foundation that would later transition into substantial real estate investments in New York City.
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John Jacob Astor (1763–1848): Widely acknowledged as the founder of the family fortune, John Jacob Astor played a pivotal role in initiating the family's wealth accumulation. His strategic investments in Manhattan real estate set the stage for the Astor family's enduring financial influence.
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William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875): The son of John Jacob Astor, William Backhouse Astor inherited a significant portion of the family estate. His commitment to Manhattan real estate investments mirrored his father's, and he notably expanded the Astor Library. Despite facing accusations of being a "slum landlord," he actively sought to renovate older tenements, contributing to the family's legacy.
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William Waldorf Astor (1848–1919): Renowned for his political ambitions, William Waldorf Astor's career took him from the New York state legislature to serving as the U.S. minister to Italy. His subsequent relocation to England, where he became 1st Viscount Astor of Hever Castle, marked a significant shift. His wealth supported the restoration of Hever Castle and conservative political causes in England.
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John Jacob Astor (1822–90): The son of William Backhouse Astor, he further increased the family fortune and distinguished himself as a philanthropist. Notable contributions included generous gifts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Trinity Church, and the Astor Library.
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John Jacob Astor (1864–1912): This Astor, a cousin of William Waldorf Astor, was a multifaceted individual. In addition to being an inventor and science fiction novelist, he played a key role in constructing iconic New York City hotels. His career was tragically cut short when he perished in the Titanic sinking in 1912.
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Waldorf Astor (1879–1952) and Nancy Astor (1879–1964): Waldorf Astor's political career in the British Parliament and his residence, Cliveden, being a significant meeting place during the late 1930s are highlighted. Nancy Astor made history as the first woman to sit in the House of Commons.
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Vincent Astor (1891–1959): Departing from traditional Astor family conservatism, Vincent Astor sold Astor-owned properties to New York City under favorable terms for housing projects. His support for the New Deal and other social reforms marked a departure from the family's historical stance.
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John Jacob Astor (1886–1971): Younger brother of Waldorf Astor, he served as the chief proprietor of The Times in London from 1922 to 1966, contributing to the family's influence in media.
The Astor family's story is a rich tapestry woven with threads of wealth, philanthropy, political influence, and societal impact, making it a compelling saga in the pages of American history.
