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Nancy Astor

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Politician

The Resume

    (May 19, 1879-May 2, 1964)
    Born in Danville, Virginia
    Birth name was Nancy Witcher Langhorne
    Married Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor
    Served in the British House of Commons (1919-45)

Why she might be annoying:

    She was known less for her political achievements than her wit.
    She claimed a Catholic conspiracy was subverting British foreign policy.
    She refused to view Nazi Germany as a threat, saying Hitler looked too much like Charlie Chaplin to take seriously.
    During a tour of America, she told black members of a church congregation they should be grateful for slavery because it had allowed them to be introduced to Christianity.
    Her husband suffered a heart attack after arguing with her about chocolate.

Why she might not be annoying:

    She and her husband opened their estate as a soldiers' hospital during both World Wars.
    She was the first woman to take a seat in the House of Commons.
    She worked to bring more women into the civil service and the police force.
    During a tour of the Soviet Union, she asked Stalin point-blank when he would stop killing people. (His equally direct reply: 'When it stops being necessary.')
    She quipped, 'I married beneath me. All women do.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 21 Votes: 19.05% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 23 Votes: 47.83% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 16 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 25 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 29 Votes: 65.52% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 36 Votes: 72.22% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 52 Votes: 75.00% Annoying