Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever

Gavin Astor

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). Violet also 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 & Children

Astor married Lady Irene Violet Freesia Janet Augusta Haig (born 7 October 1919, died 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]

Astor died of cancer in 1984 at his home near Tarland, Scotland. He was succeeded in the barony by hisd eldest son Johnny.[5]

References

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