Topic: Nancy Witcher Astor Viscountess Astor

Nancy Witcher (Langhorne) Astor Astor, Viscountess 1879-1964, British politician, b. Virginia. She was first married to Robert Gould Shaw, and after her divorce (1903) from him she went to England. There she was married (1906) to Waldorf Astor (see under Astor, William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount ). When he succeeded his father as viscount and had to give up his seat in the House of Commons as member for Plymouth, she was elected in his place and became the first woman to sit in Parliament. In her years as a Conservative member (1919-45) her sharp tongue in debate, her passionate espousal... Read more