The Last Mrs. Astor

As a New Yorker I have to admit that my historical knowledge of the city is somewhat limited to what I learned in American History, tours with extended family, and chance tidbits from friends. My father-in-law once asked what the name of a ship was in the South Street Seaport and I sadly shrugged my shoulders in dismay. (I now know that it is the Ambrose.)

When I saw this book in the library I thought it would be an interesting way to foray into NYC's socal history. I knew that the Astor name had some importance because of Astor place, Astoria, and let's not forget the famous Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue. I also knew that they were wealthy because places do not get named after people unless there is money involved. But that's where my historical sleuthing ended.

Who was this "Last Mrs. Astor"? It turns out her name was Brooke. "Roberta" Brooke Russell the daughter of a military man, John Henry Russell, and her mother, Mabel Russell, an estute social climber. Brooke grew up in China returning to the States as a teen when her father received new orders. Her mother, at the age of 17, encouraged Brooke's first marriage to John Dryden Kruse in 1919. This marriage was an unhappy one but resulted in Brooke's only child Tony Dryden.

Two years after Brooke's divorce from John Dryden in 1930 she married Charles Marshall, the senior partner at Butler, Herrick, and Marshall. Charles Marshall, was described as the love of Brooke's life. Her son Tony changed his last name to Marshall in 1942 prior to his service in the military. During this period of her life Brooke worked as an editor of Home and Garden's, using her husband's social clout and her know how to revive the magazine. Charles Marshall passed away in Brooke's arms in 1952.

In 1953, 11 months following Charles Marshall's death, Brooke remarried for the third and final time, Vincent Astor. Vincent was famous for his wealth and also infamous for his difficult personality. His wealth and family name gave Brooke a boost in New York City social circles. Vincent's health was touch and go and 1959 Brooke became a widow for the second time. After some familial dispute about Vincent's will, Brooke became the primary hieress of Vincent Astor's estate and the president of the Vincent Astor Foundation.

This is where I thought Brooke's life became very interesting. The last Mrs. Astor took it upon herself to learn the ins and outs of being a philanthropist for the city of New York. As the president of the foundation she proved to be a benevolent giver earning the Foundation a new level of respect in the non-profit world. This sudden acclaim for Brooke Astor came with its bumps and bruises but Brooke proved to be able to weather the storm. She made a point to deal with conflict outside of formal meetings and maitain a level of amicablity with most of her staff and board.

Although I did learn a bit more about who Mrs. Brooke Astor and the accomplishments of the foundation I was bit torn by the author's perspective. The author seemed to enjoy the bit of time she spent with the "Last Mrs. Astor" in interviews but maintained that Mrs. Astor was gaining in years and was increasingly confused from one visit to the next. Frances Kiernon did not seem to glean a new perspective from Mrs. Astor's personal writings nor truly respect the source.

Mrs. Astor was a strong woman who survived international moves, 3 marriages, and left a legacy through her work at the Vincent Astor Foundation. "The Last Mrs. Astor" is not a historical document but I enjoyed it for what was, a taste of the upper millius lifestyle.