Mrs. Astor, or as she was originally known, Caroline Webster Schermerhorn Astor, was an American socialite who popularized the concept of high society from the 1840s to the early 1900s. Born in New York City in 1831, she was part of the “elite class of New Yorkers” and quickly gained notoriety for her grand parties and beautiful homes. She was highly influential in the city’s modern-day culture and was noted for being a champion of good values, proper etiquette, and style. In short, she was an icon of society in the 19th century and is still looked upon as one today. Here, we look at why Mrs. Astor is so important.
Mrs. Astor’s Impact on Society
Mrs. Astor had a profound impact on society by creating the concept of “social register” where the names and addresses of members of the high society of New York were entered and updated every year. This allowed her to create a closed social circle of people with a similar background and upbringing. Known as the “Four Hundred”, Mrs. Astor had definite ideas about who was accepted into her high society and who was not. She used this list to invite people to her parties, which contributed to her reputation as a hostess of events that epitomized the perfect social gathering.
Additionally, Mrs. Astor’s behavior shaped the expectations of New York society. Through her writings, she promoted local charities and promoted the importance of philanthropy in high society. She was known to have said several influential quotes that have been publicly taken up and propelled forward, such as “good works will outshine all show,” and “you don’t have to be grander than the rest of the world, just more gracious.” In addition to her influence on society through her actions, Mrs. Astor was a major influence on society with her character. She was well-mannered, supportive, generous, and had a strong sense of civic and personal responsibility.
Mrs. Astor’s Legacy
Today, Mrs. Astor is remembered for her legacy as a pioneer of high society around the world. As a woman, her influence extended further and wider than any other woman at that time. She was, without doubt, the society hostess who set the standard of parties and good taste in the 19th century, and those standards remain in place today in many social circles.
Given her bold, independent attitude, Mrs. Astor is also remembered for paving the way for women everywhere. Her participation in social events and causes in New York—as well as her refusal to conform to societal standards—showed that a woman could have a place in high society and beyond. In a time when society was very much led by men, Mrs. Astor was seen as a beacon of hope, generosity, and positive change.
The Impact of Mrs. Astor’s Legacy
The legacy of Mrs. Astor extended far beyond the society circles of New York City and beyond. Her influence is still felt to this day, and her teachings of graciousness, good works, proper etiquette and behavior, and her commitment to philanthropic causes continue to be admired.
Mrs. Astor’s commitment to philanthropy also lives on today as she established several foundations and donated to important charities in her lifetime. Her direct contribution to charitable causes has bettered the lives of thousands, if not millions, of people around the world.
In addition, Mrs. Astor’s grand parties and the “Four Hundred” list she popularized have remained a source of inspiration, with her parties referenced in various novels, films, and television shows, even appearing in scenes of The Great Gatsby and The Age of Innocence.
There is no doubt that Mrs. Astor was an iconic figure of the 19th century and remains a figure of great importance today. She forged a legacy of philanthropy, etiquette, and high society, which still dominates many of today’s society circles. She empowered women with her independent attitude and showed people that charitability and decency remain important values in any crowd. Mrs. Astor truly was the first modern-day celebrity of the 19th century and her influence and legacy will continue to live on for years to come.
