Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Home > Astor family
The Astor family, founded by the German immigrant, John Jacob Astor and his wife Sarah Todd, became the wealthiest family in the United States during the 19th century. Towards the end of that century, a branch moved to England and achieved great prominence there. As the 20th century wore on the family fortunes declined, but their legacy lives on in their many public works including the New York Public Library, and members of the British branch hold two hereditary peerages, a viscountcy and a barony.John Jacob Astor's brother also immigrated to America. Henry Astor, a horse racing enthusiast, purchased a thoroughbred named Messenger who had been brought from England in 1788. The horse became the founding sire of all Standardbred horses in the United states today.
Beyond the famous hotels, the Astor family name is imprinted in a great deal of United States history and geography. There is a town of Astor in the states of Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and Kansas and there are Astorias in Illinois, Missouri, New York, and Oregon. There is an Astor Park in Florida and an Astor Court and Astor Place in New York City and a large number of town and city thoroughfares bearing the family name.
A number of Astor family members are buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan, New York.
Astor Family connection (alphabetical listing):
By birth:
- David Astor (1912-1992)
- John Jacob Astor (1763-1848)
- John Jacob Astor II (1791-1869)
- John Jacob Astor III (1822-1890)
- John Jacob Astor IV (1864-1912)
- John Jacob Astor VI (1912-1992)
- John Jacob Astor V (1886-1971) 1st Baron Astor of Hever
- William Vincent AstorWilliam Vincent Astor ( November 15, 1891, New York, New York, United States February 3, 1959) was a businessman and philanthropist and a member of the prominent Astor family. Called Vincent, he was born in the Fifth Avenue mansion where his grandmother, (1891-1959)
- William Backhouse Astor, Sr.William Backhouse Astor, Sr. September 19, 1792 November 24, 1875) was a businessman and member of the prominent Astor family. William Backhouse Astor, Sr. inherited the bulk of his father's estate and also that of his uncle Henry Astor who had died a wea (1792-1875)
- William Backhouse Astor, Jr.William Backhouse Astor, Jr. born July 12, 1830 died April 25, 1892) was a businessman and a member of the prominent Astor family. The younger son of William Backhouse Astor, Sr. he was joint heir to the Astor real estate empire, though he left its active (1830-1892)
- William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount AstorWilliam Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor ( March 31, 1848 October 18, 1919) was a financier and statesman and a member of the prominent Astor family. William Astor was born in New York City, the only child of John Jacob Astor III (1822-1890) and Charlott (1848-1919)
- William Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount AstorWaldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor ( May 19, 1879 September 30, 1952) was a businessman and politician and a member of the prominent Astor family. Born William Waldorf Astor II in New York, New York, United States, he was the son of the extremely wealthy W (1879-1952)
- William Waldorf Astor, 3rd Viscount Astor (1907-1966)
By marriage:
- Brooke Russell Marshall AstorBrooke Astor (born 30 March 1902)1 was born Roberta Brooke Russell in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the daughter of John Henry Russell, a Marine Corps officer, and his wife nee Mabel Cecile Hornby Howard. Her father, who retired as a major general, ended his (1902- )
- Caroline Webster Schermerhorn AstorCaroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor ( September 22, 1830 October 30, 1908) preferred to be known simply as Mrs. Astor which after 1887 was all she had printed on her visiting cards. She was the wife of railroad millionaire William Backhouse Astor Jr. (1830-1908)
- Madeline Astor (1894-1940)
- Nancy, Lady Astor (1879-1964)
The Astors
Read more »