Nancy Astor

Nancy Astor, Vicountess Astor CH (Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, 19 May 1879  2 May 1964) was an American-born English politician and socialite.

She was the first woman to sit as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons.Constance Markievicz was the first woman elected to the House of Commons in December 1918 but in line with Sinn Féin's abstentionist policy did not take her seat. Markievicz was detained in Holloway Prison at the time. Her second husband was Waldorf Astor.

 England 

She was once asked by an English woman, "Have you come to get our husbands?"  Her reply, "If you knew the trouble I had getting rid of mine....." charmed her listeners and displayed the wit which later became famous.Sykes (1984), p. 75

Her second husband, Waldorf Astor, was born in the United States but the family to England when Waldorf was twelve. The couple were well matched from the start. Not only were they both American expatriates with similar temperaments, but they were of the same age, being born on the same day, 19 May 1879.

After marrying Waldorf, Nancy moved into Cliveden, a lavish estate in Buckinghamshire on the River Thames. It was a wedding gift from Astor's father, She became a prominent hostess for the social elite. The Astors also owned a grand London house, No. 4 St. James's Square, which is now the premises of the Naval & Military Club.

A blue plaque unveiled in 1987 commemorates Astor at St. James's Square. Through her many social connections, Lady Astor became involved in a political circle which advocated unity and equality among English-speaking people and support for British imperialism.

 References 

Category:1879 births
Category:1964 deaths
Category:British Christians
Category:Christian Scientists
Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs
Category:Members of the British House of Commons for English constituencies
Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom
Category:Politicians from Virginia
Category:UK MPs 1918–1922
Category:UK MPs 1922–1923
Category:UK MPs 1923–1924
Category:UK MPs 1924–1929
Category:UK MPs 1929–1931
Category:UK MPs 1931–1935
Category:UK MPs 1935–1945