William Waldorf Astor

William Waldorf Astor was an American-British businessman and politician, known for his extensive real estate holdings and his role in the development of New York City's elite society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was the founder of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, which became synonymous with luxury and high society. Astor was also a member of the House of Lords after inheriting his title in the UK, and he played a significant role in the social and political landscape of his time.