William Backhouse Astor

American businessman

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June 18, 2026

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William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875) was an American businessman and a key figure in the Astor family fortune. He inherited a significant portion of his father, John Jacob Astor's, estate, which was founded on the fur trade and later expanded through extensive real estate investments in New York City. William Backhouse Astor continued his father's real estate ventures, developing over 700 stores and dwellings. He more than doubled the family's wealth, leaving an estate valued at nearly $50 million. Despite facing accusations of being a slum landlord, he attempted to renovate some of the family's older properties.12

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John Jacob Astor
His son, William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875), greatly expanded the family real-estate holdings, building more than 700 stores and dwellings in New York City. The wealthiest person in the U.S. at the time of his death, the senior Astor bequeathed $400,000 for the founding of a public library,…
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His son, William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875), greatly expanded the family real-estate holdings, building more than 700 stores and dwellings in New York City. The wealthiest person in the U.S. at the time of his death, the senior Astor bequeathed $400,000 for the founding of a public library,…
Read More

Astor family
His son, William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875), who inherited the major portion of the estate, continued his father’s program of investing in Manhattan real estate and greatly expanded the Astor Library. Stung by accusations that he was a slum landlord, he attempted to renovate some of the older…
Read More
His son, William Backhouse Astor (1792–1875), who inherited the major portion of the estate, continued his father’s program of investing in Manhattan real estate and greatly expanded the Astor Library. Stung by accusations that he was a slum landlord, he attempted to renovate some of the older…
Read More