The Biographical Dictionary of America/Astor, William

ASTOR, William, capitalist, was born in New York city, July 12, 1830, second son of William B. and Margaret Rebecca (Armstrong) Astor, and grandson of John Jacob Astor. In 1849, he was graduated at Columbia college, after which he travelled in the Orient, and returned to take charge of his father's estate in 1853. He gave largely in charity, but always in secret. He was a devout churchman, a vestryman of Trinity parish, and a generous supporter of struggling churches. He was fond of horses and kept a breeding farm for blooded stock at his place on the Hudson. For a time he was interested in the turf. His favorite recreation was yachting He bequeathed $50,000 to the Astor library, and $145,000 to other institutions. He married Caroline Schermerhorn of New York, and left a son, John Jacob Astor, 4th. He died in Paris. France, April 25. 1892.