[2] It was created in 1956 for John Jacob Astor, a prominent newspaper proprietor and Conservative politician.
As of 2019[update], the title is held by the latter's eldest son, the third Baron, who succeeded in 1984.
He is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers who remain in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act of 1999, and he sits on the Conservative benches.
John Astor, third son of the first Baron, served as a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1964 to 1974.
The heir apparent is the present holder's son, Hon.