New-York tribune., 1919-10-20
Who Became
British Peer Victim Of
Heart Disease After
Being Ill a Year
Body Is Lying
In Home of Son
Will Be Cremated and
Ashes Placed i'm the Pri-
waite Chapel at Cliveden

LONDON, Oct. 19.--Viscount Astor
of Hever Castle (William Waldorf
Astor) died of heart disease Saturday
morning. He had been failing in
health for. a year.
The body of Viscount Astor is lying
in the residence Of his son, Waldorf
Astor, Member Of Parliament. in St.
James's Square.
Through Viscount Astors wish, his
body will be cremated. and It is un-
derstood his ashes will be placed in the
private chapel of his one-time country
home, Cliveden, at Tap1ow, Bucks, now
occupied by Waldorf Astor.
MIR. Astor's death was unexpected, it
was said at his sons home tonight.
He walked about outdoors on Friday
as usual. Death came while he was
in bed Saturday morning.
Few men Of great wealth in England
have been so little known to the pub
lie as Viscount Astor. 1t was said
that he left America to escape the
limelight which newspapers throw up
on multi millionaires. If this was
true he was successful
During the first years Of his resi-
dence here he established a position
i'll the exclusive social set end enter
tained that circle III accordance with
the most conservative British tradi-
tions. But he never attempted to be-
come q leader in sport or politics. two
fields in which rich Englishmen en-
deavor to attain publicity and popu-
larity.
No Interest In Politics
After being raised to The peerage,
Viscount Astor never took any an
parent interest in the political phase
Of his position, which was not uu-
usual, since only a small Traction of
those entitled to take part in the pro-
ceedings Of the House of Lords ever
avail themselves of that prerogative.
1t is not recalled that he ever ap
peared in the House of Lords as z
legislator.
For some years he welded political
influence through mis- ownership OF
"The Pal. Mall Gazette" once pow
erful afternoon paper. and "The OBJ
server" a leading Sunday paper. "Tho
Pail Mall Gazette" had been a liberal
sheet until Mr. Astor bought it, with
a succession Of brilliant editors, nota-
bly, Lord Milner, Lord Moreley. ". T.
Stead and Sir Edward Cook. Mr..
The Pail Nah Gazette" a conserva-
tive organ, whereupon the editorial
staff resigned and started 1.-The West
Minister Gazette" an incident which
created considerable attention. as such
newspaper changes were then almost
unknown in England.
MI. Astor also conducted "Thc Pail
Mall Magazine" for some years as
sort Of magazine de luxe. The expense
of this was heavy, but it was used as
vehicle for the qualification Of his own
literary tastes, he being a contributor
Of numerous articles, mostly fiction.
Gave Up London Residence
After the beginning of the war. Mr..
Astoc gave up his London residence at
Carlton House Terrace and spent most
OF ms time in the country at Hever
Castle and on his magnificent Cliveden
estate on the banks of the Thames A
year ago he took q house at Brighton,
which was spacious and comfortable,
but ID no wise rs prctentious as man
OF his wealth might be expected to
choose.
Vlscount AstOr's associates in Eng
land had been almost entirely British.
He seldom appeared in the Anglo-Amer-
lcan social set, which during King Ed
wards reign was the most conspicuous
II not the most important. set, owing
to the Kings partality to it,
The British eXchequer will gain an
important item through the Astor es-
tate death duties. Such duties on es-
tates Of British subjects of over
81 600 600 are 90 per cent, wherever
the property is situated. Most British
mlllionaires provide insurance for
death duties.
There was recent newspaper report
that Vlscount Astor was dividing his
American real estate among his chill
dren, but according to the British law
such gifts must be made three years
before death in order to escape estate
duties
Viscount Astor leaves monument
IN London, i'll the building of which he
erected for the Offices of The Astor es-
tate. adjoining the Law Temple build
lngs on the Thames embankment, which
arcnitecturally harmonze with the
temple and is taken by most passcrsby
for part of it.
The New Viscount Astor
Major Waldorf Astor, who succeeds
to the viscountcy, is one Of the young
est among those prominent in the Con
servativc party's official group, and will
likely be popular as peer.
Viscount Astor, one of tho two ma
tive Americans to become peers Of the
realm in Great Britain, was one of the
richest men in England, and his fort
une here. largely in New York City
real estate, has been estimated at
$500 600, 900.
Owing to the policy which Viscount
Astor had been following since the
passage of the inheritance law in this
state, however, the real property which
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