Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever
Encyclopedia
Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever (1 June 1918 – 28 June 1984) was a British soldier, publisher, and peer. His father was John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever
.
He was educated at Eton
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.
He inherited the Barony and Hever Castle in Kent on the death of his father in 1971.
In 1945, he married Lady Irene Haig
, daughter of Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig
. They had five children:
He died of cancer in 1984 and was succeeded by his son.
John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever
Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever DL was a British military officer, statesman, a newspaper proprietor, and a member of the prominent Astor family...
.
He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and New College, Oxford
New College, Oxford
New College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.- Overview :The College's official name, College of St Mary, is the same as that of the older Oriel College; hence, it has been referred to as the "New College of St Mary", and is now almost always...
, before joining the Life Guards
Life Guards (British Army)
The Life Guards is the senior regiment of the British Army and with the Blues and Royals, they make up the Household Cavalry.They originated in the four troops of Horse Guards raised by Charles II around the time of his restoration, plus two troops of Horse Grenadier Guards which were raised some...
, where he reached the rank of captain.
Business positions included the chairmanship of the Times Publishing Company
Times Publishing Company
Times Publishing Company is a newspaper and magazine publisher. Its flagship publication is the St. Petersburg Times, a daily newspaper serving the Tampa Bay area. It also publishes the business magazine Florida Trend and the daily newspaper tbt* .Times Publishing Company is based in St...
and life presidency of Times Newspapers Ltd. He was appointed High Sheriff of Sussex
High Sheriff of Sussex
-History:The office of High Sheriff is over 1000 years old, with its establishment before the Norman Conquest. The Office of High Sheriff remained first in precedence in the counties until the reign of Edward VII when an Order in Council in 1908 gave the Lord-Lieutenant the prime office under the...
in 1955.
He inherited the Barony and Hever Castle in Kent on the death of his father in 1971.
In 1945, he married Lady Irene Haig
Irene Astor, Baroness Astor of Hever
Irene Astor, Baroness Astor of Hever was the widow of Gavin Astor, 2nd Baron Astor of Hever.She was born as Lady Irene Violet Freesia Janet Augusta Haig in 1919. She was the daughter of Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig and The Honourable Dorothy Maud Vivian...
, daughter of Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig
Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig
Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCIE, ADC, was a British senior officer during World War I. He commanded the British Expeditionary Force from 1915 to the end of the War...
. They had five children:
- John Jacob Astor, 3rd Baron Astor of Hever (b. 1946)
- Hon. Bridget Mary Astor (b. 1948)
- Hon. Elizabeth Louise Astor (b. 1951)
- Hon. Sarah Violet Astor (b. 1953), Her son Harry Lopez was married to Laura Parker BowlesLaura LópezLaura López is a Spanish synchronized swimmer. She has competed at the and 2008 Summer Olympics.-References:*...
, daughter of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - Hon. Philip Douglas Paul Astor (b. 1959)
He died of cancer in 1984 and was succeeded by his son.