Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever
| The Right Honourable The Lord Astor of Hever | |
|---|---|
 Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever | |
| Born | 1 June 1918 |
| Died |
28 June 1984 (aged 66) near Tarland, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Cause of death | cancer |
| Education |
Eton College New College, Oxford |
| Spouse(s) |
Lady Irene Haig (1945–1984; his death) |
| Children |
|
| Parent(s) |
John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever Violet Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound |
| Relatives |
|
Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever (1 June 1918 – 28 June 1984), was an English soldier, publisher, peer, and member of the Astor family.
Biography
Astor was the eldest son of John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever (1886–1971), and Lady Violet Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound (1889–1965).[1] He had two younger brothers, Hugh (1920–1999) and John (1923–1987). His mother had two children, Mary (1910–2003) and George (1912–1997), from her previous marriage to Lord Charles Petty-Fitzmaurice (1874–1914).
He was educated at Eton College and New College, Oxford, before joining the Life Guards, where he reached the rank of captain.
Business positions included the chairmanship of the Times Publishing Company and life presidency of Times Newspapers Ltd. He was appointed High Sheriff of Sussex in 1955.[2]
He inherited the barony and Hever Castle in Kent on the death of his father in 1971.
In 1955, he founded the Astor of Hever Trust, a charity aimed to collect donations for arts, medicine, religion, education, conservation, youth, and sport.[3]
Marriage and children
Astor married Lady Irene Haig (1919–2001), youngest daughter of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig (1861–1928), and Dorothy Maud Vivian (1879–1939), on 4 October 1945. They had five children:[4]
- John Jacob "Johnny" Astor, 3rd Baron Astor of Hever, DL (born 16 June 1946), married twice; three daughters from first marriage, a son and a daughter from second marriage.
- Hon. Bridget Mary Astor (born 16 February 1948), married twice; two sons from first marriage, one daughter from second marriage.
- Hon. Elizabeth Louise Astor (born 1 March 1951), married twice; two children from second marriage.
- Hon. Sarah Violet Astor (born 30 September 1953), married George Edward Lopes and has three children. Their son Harry Marcus George Lopes is married to Laura Rose Parker Bowles, daughter of Andrew Parker Bowles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
- Hon. Philip Douglas Paul Astor (born 4 April 1959).
Astor died of cancer in 1984 at his home near Tarland, Scotland. He was succeeded in the barony by his eldest son Johnny.[5]
References
- ↑ http://thepeerage.com/p1587.htm#i15867
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 40433. p. 1609. 18 March 1955.
- ↑ "Funds for Historic Buildings". ffhb.org.
- ↑ The Peerage, entry for 2nd Lord Astor
- ↑ "LORD ASTOR, HEAD OF DYNASTY AND AIDE AT TIMES OF LONDON". NY Times. Retrieved 29 July 2002.
External links
| Honorary titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Lord Cornwallis |
Lord Lieutenant of Kent 1972–1982 |
Succeeded by The Lord Kingsdown |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by John Jacob Astor |
Baron Astor of Hever 1971–1984 |
Succeeded by John Jacob Astor |
|