John Jacob Astor IV facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Jacob Astor IV
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Astor in 1895
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| Born | July 13, 1864 Rhinebeck, New York, U.S.
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| Died | April 15, 1912 (aged 47) North Atlantic Ocean
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| Cause of death | Sinking of the Titanic |
| Burial place | Trinity Church Cemetery New York City, U.S. |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Business magnate |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children |
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| Parent(s) | William Backhouse Astor Jr. Caroline Webster "Lina" Schermerhorn |
| Relatives |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
New York State National Guard United States Army |
| Years of service |
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| Rank | Colonel Brevet Colonel |
| Unit | Staff of Governor Levi P. Morton Fifth Army Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Spanish Campaign Medal |
| Signature | |
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John Jacob Astor IV (born July 13, 1864 – died April 15, 1912) was a very successful American businessman, real estate developer, and investor. He was a member of the famous Astor family and also the Livingston family. He was also a writer and served as a lieutenant colonel in the Spanish–American War. John Jacob Astor IV was one of the most well-known American passengers on the RMS Titanic. He sadly passed away with many others when the ship sank on its first voyage in April 1912. At that time, Astor was the richest passenger aboard the RMS Titanic and was considered one of the wealthiest people in the world. His fortune was estimated to be around $87 million, which would be billions of dollars today.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Jacob Astor IV was born on July 13, 1864, at his family's country home called Ferncliff in Rhinebeck, New York. He was the youngest of five children and the only son of William Backhouse Astor Jr. and Caroline Webster "Lina" Schermerhorn. His father was a businessman and horse breeder, and his mother was a well-known figure in society.
John was the great-grandson of John Jacob Astor, a German-American fur trader whose wealth made the Astor family one of the richest in the United States. His family had many important connections. For example, his sister Helen's husband was James Roosevelt "Rosey" Roosevelt, who was the half-brother of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Astor attended St Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and later went to Harvard College. Friends often called him "Jack."
Astor's Career and Inventions
John Jacob Astor IV was a man of many talents. He wrote a science-fiction novel called A Journey in Other Worlds in 1894. This book imagined what life might be like in the year 2000 on the planets Saturn and Jupiter.
He also invented several things. These included a special bicycle brake in 1898 and a "vibratory disintegrator" that could make gas from peat moss. He also worked on a turbine engine and a machine to improve roads.
Like his family before him, Astor earned a lot of money in real estate. In 1897, he built the Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was known as "the world's most luxurious hotel." This hotel was next to the Waldorf Hotel, which belonged to his cousin. Together, they became the famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Military Service and Achievements
From 1894 to 1896, Astor served as a colonel on the military staff for the New York Governor Levi P. Morton.
When the Spanish–American War began in 1898, Astor helped by paying for a volunteer artillery unit called the "Astor Battery." This unit served in the Philippines. In May 1898, he became a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Volunteers. He served in Cuba during the Santiago Campaign. Later, he was given a special promotion to colonel for his service. He finished his military service in November 1898.
During the war, Astor also let the U.S. government use his private yacht, the Nourmahal. He appeared in some early films about the war. Because of his military service, he received the Spanish Campaign Medal. After the war, people often called him "Colonel Astor."
Astor's Personal Life
On February 17, 1891, Astor married socialite Ava Lowle Willing. They had two children:
- William Vincent Astor
- Ava Alice Muriel Astor
Astor and Willing divorced in November 1909.
On September 9, 1911, Astor married 18-year-old Madeleine Talmage Force. Astor was 47 years old at the time. They were married at his mother's home in Newport, Rhode Island. The couple went on a long honeymoon to Europe and Egypt. During this trip, they met Margaret Brown, who later became known as "The Unsinkable Molly Brown." She traveled with the Astors back to the United States aboard the RMS Titanic.
Homes and Hobbies
Astor's country home was called Ferncliff, located in Rhinebeck, New York. His father had bought the land over time. Astor was born there.
The main house was rebuilt in 1904. A separate sports building, called the "Ferncliff Casino" (later "Astor Courts"), was also built. This building was special because it reportedly had the first indoor swimming pool in a private home in the U.S. It also had an indoor tennis court, squash courts, guest rooms, a bowling alley, and a shooting range. Today, Astor Courts is a popular place for weddings.
Astor loved sailing and was a keen yachtsman. He took part in many races and even offered special awards called the Astor Cups for sailing competitions at the New York Yacht Club.
The Sinking of the Titanic
While traveling, Madeleine Force Astor became pregnant. The Astors wanted their child to be born in the U.S., so they boarded the RMS Titanic for its first trip to New York. They got on the ship in Cherbourg, France, and were among the wealthiest passengers in first class. With them were Astor's valet, Victor Robbins; Mrs. Astor's maid, Rosalie Bidois; and her nurse, Caroline Louise Endres. They also brought their pet Airedale Terrier dog named Kitty, who sadly did not survive the sinking.
On April 14, 1912, the Titanic hit an iceberg. Astor spoke with Captain Edward J. Smith to understand the situation. Captain Smith advised Astor to wake his wife, as they might need to go to the lifeboats. Astor calmly told his wife about the collision, but said the damage did not seem serious at first.
As the ship's lifeboats were being prepared, Astor remained calm. He and his wife even spent some time in the gymnasium. He helped his wife, her maid, and her nurse into Lifeboat 4. Astor asked if he could join his wife because she was pregnant. However, Second Officer Charles Lightoller explained that men were not allowed to board until all women and children were safely in the boats. Astor did not argue. He kissed his wife and told her he would follow in another boat.
After Lifeboat 4 was lowered, Astor was seen standing with other passengers, waving goodbye. The Titanic sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15. Madeleine Force Astor, her nurse, and her maid survived. Sadly, Colonel John Jacob Astor, his valet Victor Robbins, and their dog Kitty all passed away.
After the sinking, ships were sent to find bodies from the site. Astor's body was found on April 22 by the cable ship Mackay-Bennett. He was identified by the initials sewn on his jacket. Among his belongings was a gold pocket watch, which his son Vincent later claimed.
Four months after the Titanic sank, Madeleine Astor gave birth to their second son, John Jacob "Jakey" Astor VI.
Astor's Estate
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John Jacob Astor IV left a large estate. He left $69 million of his $85 million fortune to his son Vincent. This included his Ferncliff country estate and his yacht.
To his wife, Madeleine Force Astor, he left $100,000 and a trust fund of $5 million, which provided her with an income. She also received the use of his New York City mansion and his Newport mansion, along with their furnishings. She was also given a luxury car and five of his horses, as long as she did not remarry.
His daughter Ava received a $10 million trust fund. His youngest son, John Jacob VI, inherited a $3 million trust fund when he turned 21.
Portrayals in Media
On screen, John Jacob Astor IV has been played by several actors:
- Karl Schönböck (1943) Titanic
- William Johnstone (1953) Titanic
- Gordon Mills (1955) (You Are There: The Sinking of the Titanic (TV episode, 22 May 1955)
- Peter Pagan (1956) (Kraft Television Theatre) (A Night to Remember)
- David Janssen (1979) S.O.S. Titanic (TV Movie)
- Scott Hylands (1996) Titanic (miniseries)
- Eric Braeden (1997) Titanic
- Federico Zambrano (2003) Ghosts of the Abyss; Documentary
- Miles Richardson (2012) Titanic; TV series/3 episodes)
- Astor was portrayed by his great-grandson Gregory Todd Astor in an April 2012 production of the Broadway musical Titanic.
- Brittany Daley (2022) Titanic 666
See also
In Spanish: John Jacob Astor IV para niños
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