Astor

Astor, name of a prominent U.S. family involved in fur trading, real estate, and finance, as well as in U.S. and British politics. John Jacob Astor (1763–1848), arrived in Baltimore from Waldorf, Germany, began as a baker's boy, became a fur trader and real estate investor, and eventually amassed the fortune of the Astors. William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875), John Jacob's son, doubled the family's wealth. His son, John Jacob IV (1864–1912), an inventor and science fiction writer, died in the sinking of the Titanic. William Waldorf, 1st Viscount Astor (1848–1919), John Jacob's great-grandson, was a financier who moved to England, where he was made baron and later viscount. Nancy Witcher (Langhorne) Astor, Viscountess Astor (1879–1964) was the first woman to serve in the British Parliament, as Conservative member for Plymouth.