William Waldorf Astor: American Tycoon to English Lord

William Waldorf Astor was one of those rare beings who passed into legend during his own lifetime. The richest man in the world by the early 20th century, he was a great grandson of Johann Jakob Astor, the illiterate German butcher’s son who immigrated to New York in 1783, founded the famous Astor dynasty, and became the first American multi-millionaire.

William Waldorf Astor was a sensitive and cultured man who immersed himself in art, architecture, and literature. In the process, he created some of the finest houses, gardens, and collections in the world (and founded the legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York). This richly illustrated lecture will feature Astor’s most magnificent houses, from his English country estates—Hever Castle in Kent and Cliveden House—to his stunning London home, Astor House to the sublime Villa Astor on the Amalfi Coast.

This lecture will trace the extraordinary life of one of the world’s most enigmatic tycoons and the splendid houses, art collections, and gardens he created, all featured in Curt DiCamillo’s 2017 book, Villa Astor: Paradise Restored on the Amalfi Coast.