author
Viscountess Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor Astor
1879–1964
An American-born aristocrat who broke a major barrier in British politics, she became the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons. Her life mixed sharp public debate, high society, and a reputation for wit that made her hard to ignore.
1 Audiobook
My Two Countries
by Viscountess Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor Astor
About the author
Born in Danville, Virginia, on May 19, 1879, Nancy Witcher Langhorne later moved to Britain and married Waldorf Astor. When he left the House of Commons for the House of Lords in 1919, she ran for his former seat at Plymouth Sutton and won.
That victory made her the first woman to sit as a Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons. She served from 1919 to 1945 and became one of the most recognizable women in public life in Britain, known for her energy, confidence, and quick, cutting humor.
Astor remains a historic figure because she opened a door that had long been closed to women in British politics. At the same time, her legacy is complicated: alongside her pioneering role, biographers and reference works note that she was also involved in several political and social controversies during her life. She died in England on May 2, 1964.