Astor, Waldorf, 2nd Viscount Astor of Cliveden (1879-1952)

British politician and newspaper proprietor. Astor was Conservative and Unionist MP for Plymouth 1910-19, when he was raised to the peerage. During his political career, he held several junior ministerial posts.

Astor was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford. His main parliamentary concerns were social reform and agriculture. On his succeeding his father as Viscount Astor, his wife, Nancy Astor, took his seat in the Commons. For many years, he controlled the Sunday newspaper The Observer, and was also the owner of a famous horse racing stud.