John Astor (1923–1987) Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Office:Member of Parliament
for Newbury
Term Start:1964
Term End:1974
Predecessor:Anthony Hurd
Successor:Michael McNair-Wilson
Birth Date:26 September 1923
Death Place:Inkpen, Berkshire, England
Alma Mater:Eton College
Nationality:British
Party:Conservative
Spouse:
    Children:3
    Parents:
    Relatives:Astor family

    John Astor (26 September 1923 – 27 December 1987) was a British Conservative politician.

    Early life

    John was the youngest of three sons born to John Jacob Astor V, 1st Baron Astor of Hever[1] and Lady Violet Mary Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound. He had two elder brothers, Gavin Astor, who inherited his father's barony, and Hugh Astor.[2] His mother had two children, Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice, and George Petty-Fitzmaurice, from her first marriage to Lord Charles Petty-Fitzmaurice who was killed in action at Ypres. His elder half-brother George later became the 8th Marquess of Lansdowne.

    His paternal grandparents were American born William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, and his wife, Mary Dahlgren Paul. His maternal grandparents were Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 4th Earl of Minto and his wife Lady Mary Caroline Grey.

    He was educated at Summerfields and Eton College.

    Career

    During World War II he served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was a Berkshire County Councillor from 1953 and an alderman from 1960.[1]

    Astor was elected as a Conservative MP for Newbury in the 1964 general election. He was re-elected twice, in 1966 and 1970, but stood down before the first February 1974 general election.[1] In 1970, he was appointed to the position of Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Overseas Development.[3]

    Personal life

    In 1950, he married Diana Kathleen Drummond,[1] a daughter of George Henry Drummond and Helena Kathleen Holt. Helena was a niece of civil engineer Herbert Samuel Holt.[4] They had three children, two sons and a daughter, including:[1]

    In 1982, he married Penelope Eve Bradford (d. 2006). They had no children and lived at Kirby House, Inkpen, Berkshire.[1]

    Astor died at Kirby House in Berkshire on 27 December 1987.[6] Penelope died on 31 December 2006.[7]

    Notes and References

    1. Book: Astor, Hon. John . Who's Who 2018 . . 1 December 2007 . 10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U161594 . 978-0-19-954089-1 . 11 December 2017.
    2. News: Erlandson . Robert A. . Castle of Henry VIII (and Astors) sold . 12 June 2019 . . 24 Jan 1983 . en.
    3. Web site: Hon. John Astor . . 11 December 2017.
    4. Web site: Diana Drummond . Ancestry . 11 December 2017.
    5. Web site: Scott . Lieutenant Colonel H S J . Captain J R Astor Late The Life Guards . guardsmagazine.com . The Guards Magazine . 12 June 2019.
    6. News: OBITUARY . 12 June 2019 . . 29 Dec 1987 . 24 . en.
    7. Web site: LANSDOWNE . Telegraph Announcements . Daily Telegraph . 11 December 2017.