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C L I V E D E N P L A C E
O x F O R D S H I R E , E N G L A N D
T h e R i g h t H o n o u r a b l e N a n c y V i s c o u n t e s s A s t o r
The Grandmother to the present Viscount Astor, Nancy, Viscountess Astor,
was born a Virginian, Nancy Langhorne. Before her 20th year, she had married
Waldorf Astor, later the Viscount Astor, perhaps the richest of the famously
wealthy Anglo-American families. Lord Astor lived in state at Hever Castle and
the great Cliveden House, seasonally visiting his many other estates. Cliveden
House, once the property of the Dukes of Buckingham and the Dukes of
Westminster, was a fitting seat for the new Viscount, with its great 18th-century
rooms and landscaping reminiscent of Versailles Palace. The legendary splendours
of the Astors blended well, while the family rapidly established themselves as
patrons and collectors of art and of great furniture. Nancy became the first
woman Member of Parliament. She led the successful movement to win Equal
Rights for Women while presiding over what became known as the famous
Cliveden set. An American, she died an English National hero in the 1960s.
The present Viscount is the Right Honourable William Waldorf Astor, 4th
Viscount Astor, and Baron Astor, of Hever Castle, Kent. He has recently been
elected to sit in the new House of Lords, having been a government Minister on
many occasions.
