Nancy Astor, First Woman Seated in the House of Commons

Nancy Astor (May 19, 1879–May 2, 1964) was the first woman to take a seat in the British House of Commons. A society hostess, she was known for her sharp wit and social commentary. Fast Facts: Nancy Astor Known For: Social critic and first woman seated in the British House of CommonsAlso Known As: Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess AstorBorn: May 19, 1879 in Danville, VirginiaParents: Chiswell Dabney Langhorne, Nancy Witcher KeeneDied: May 2, 1964 in Lincolnshire, EnglandPublished Work: My Two Countries, her autobiographyHonor: Freedom of the City of PlymouthSpouse(s): Robert Gould Shaw II (m. 1897–1903), Waldorf Astor (m. 1906–1952)Notable Quote: Women have got to make the world safe for men since men have made it so darned unsafe for women.Notable Exchange: Nancy Astor: Sir, if you were my husband, Id poison your tea. Winston Churchill: Madame, if you were my wife, Id drink it! Early Years Astor was born in Virginia  on May 19, 1879, as Nancy Witcher Langhorne. She was the  eighth of 11 children, three of whom died in infancy before she was born. One of her sisters, Irene, married the artist Charles Dana Gibson, who immortalized his wife as the Gibson girl. Joyce Grenfell was a cousin. Astors father Chisell Dabney Langhorne was a Confederate officer. After the war, he became a tobacco auctioneer. During her early childhood, the family was poor and struggling. As she became an adolescent, her fathers success brought the family wealth. Her father is said to have created the fast-talking style of auctioneering. Her father refused to send her to college, a fact that Astor resented. He sent Nancy and Irene to a finishing school in New York City. First Marriage In October 1897, Astor married society Bostonian Robert Gould Shaw. He was a first cousin of the Civil War Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, who had commanded African-American troops for the Union Army in the Civil War. They had one son before they separated in 1902, divorcing in 1903. Astor first returned to Virginia to manage her fathers household, as her mother had died during her Astors short marriage. Waldorf Astor Astor then went to England. On a ship, she met Waldorf Astor, whose American millionaire father had become a British lord. They shared a birthday and birth year and seemed to be very well matched. They married in London on April 19, 1906, and Nancy Astor moved with Waldorf to a family home in Cliveden, where she proved an adept and popular society hostess. They also bought a home in London. In the course of their marriage, they had four sons and one daughter. In 1914, the couple converted to Christian Science. She was strongly anti-Catholic and also opposed hiring Jews. Waldorf and Nancy Astor Enter Politics Waldorf and Nancy Astor became involved in reform politics, part of a circle of reformers around Lloyd George. In 1909, Waldorf stood for election to the House of Commons as a conservative from a Plymouth constituency; he lost the election but won on his second try, in 1910. The family moved to Plymouth when he won. Waldorf served in the House of Commons until 1919, when, at his fathers death, he became a Lord and thereby became a member of the House of Lords. The House of Commons Nancy Astor decided to run for the seat that Waldorf vacated, and she was elected in 1919. Constance Markiewicz had been elected to the House of Commons in 1918 but chose not to take her seat. Nancy Astor was thus the first woman to take a seat in Parliament and was the only woman MP until 1921. (Markiewicz believed Astor an inappropriate candidate, too out of touch as a member of the upper class.) Astors campaign slogan was Vote for Lady Astor and your children will weigh more. She worked for temperance, womens rights, and childrens rights. Another slogan she used was, If you want a party hack, dont elect me. In 1923, Astor published My Two Countries, her own story. World War II Astor was an opponent of socialism and, later during the Cold War, an outspoken critic of communism. She was also an anti-fascist. She refused to meet Adolf Hitler despite having the opportunity to do so. Waldorf Astor met with him about the treatment of Christian Scientists and came away convinced that Hitler was mad. Despite their opposition to fascism and the Nazis, the Astors supported economic appeasement of Germany, supporting the lifting of economic sanctions against Hitlers regime. During World War II, Astor was noted for her morale-boosting visits to her constituents, especially during German bombing raids. She just missed being hit once, herself. She also served, unofficially, as hostess to American troops stationed at Plymouth during the buildup to the Normandy invasion. Later Years and Death In 1945, Astor left Parliament, at her husbands urging and not entirely happily. She continued to be a witty and sharp critic of social and political trends when she disapproved, including of both communism and Sen. Joseph McCarthys anti-Communist witch hunts in the U.S. She largely withdrew from public life with the death of Waldorf Astor in 1952. She died on May 2, 1964. Legacy Astors time in Parliament was not one of great achievement or towering influence; she held no government posts and had no legislative achievements to show for her time of service. But the fact that she was the first woman to serve in that legislative body had a large impact. In the 2017 general election in Great Britain, a record 208 women MPs were elected to the House of Commons, a record high of 32 percent. Two female MPs, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May, even ascended to the position of prime minister. Astor, as the first woman in the British House of Commons, was a trailblazer who first made it acceptable for women to serve. Sources â€Å"Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor.†Ã‚  Ohio River - New World Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia.Keen, Richard, and Richard Cracknell. â€Å"Women in Parliament and Government.†Ã‚  Commons Library Briefing - UK Parliament, 20 July 2018,ï » ¿Ã¢â‚¬Å"Astors History.†Ã‚  Virtual Rome.

Death And Humanity Of Animals Essay - 1677 Words

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Analysis of Fransisco Goyas “The Third of May” Free Essays

Francisco Soy’s The Third of May 1808 is a responsive painting that was intended to honor those who suffered from the occupation of Napoleons army during the Peninsula War in Spain. This large in x in oil on canvas painting is used to represent the art of Soya, and depict the valor of Spanish revolutionary war. The influences on this piece, as well as its characteristics and influence on later work will be examined. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of Fransisco Goyas â€Å"The Third of May† or any similar topic only for you Order Now The painting reflects the turmoil during the time period, and contains many aesthetic and emotional qualities that make it relevant in art history; the minting is one of the finest displays of Soy’s abilities. Soya who lived from (1746 – 1828) was regarded as one of the most (if not the important Romantic artist. He underwent a major transition in his life that reflected on his work. During his early career he was much more optimistic toward humanity. This optimism is evident in his early artwork that consisted of bright pastel colors (1). In his later work (including the time when The Third of May was being painted) his subject matter became much darker and dejected. This dark subject matter reflected Soy’s physical and mental ailments, his disappointment in the French brutality against the Spanish, and his â€Å"diminished hope for human progress† (3). The story behind The Third of May is one of brutality and malice. After Napoleon invaded Spain, he set his brother in place of the Spanish Monarch. The Spanish people believed the royal family was going to be murdered. In response to these rumors, on May 2, 1808 a rebellion against the French army took place. The French retaliated by rounding up civilians the next day and opening fire (4). After the Spanish regained control in 1814, Soya was motivated to ask the provisional government of Spain to commission The Third of May. He requested to, â€Å"perpetuate by meaner of his brush the most notable and heroic actions of our glorious insurrection against the Tyrant of Europe† (5). The painting is in the romantic style. Key characteristics that define this piece as romantic are, â€Å"The sensational current event, loose brushwork, the poses based on reality, the off balance composition, and the dramatic lighting† (6). The fact that it is a raging scene is also characteristic of a painting in the romantic style. Other influences can be noticed in the painting as well. His work is reminiscent of Diego Velasquez because of the rough brush strokes that seem to humanism and revivalist the still figures of the painting (7). There are many characteristics that contribute to the significance of this painting. The placement of the characters is an important feature to notice. The French soldiers are giving the viewer their backs as they fire away in a uniform line. This uniformity portrays the soldiers as intimidating and an organized rower that are in control of the scenario. In contrast the civilians are an unrecognized crown backed up against a hill. This provides the viewer with a sense of their defenseless and hopeless entrapment. The scale is a grand; prior to romanticism such grandiosity was reserved for religious subject matter. The large scale gave meaning to the murdered Just as religious figures were given importance in previous years. The choice of color and lighting perfectly highlights the heroic, while darkness falls on the wicked. For example the man at the center is in the brightest clothes of allow and white. You can clearly see him as his hands are raised as he faces his death courageously. The emotion of all the civilians is clearly illuminated as death is starring the viewer in the face. The bloodied men on the ground and those who cover their eyes or look away are what personify terror and death. This work so greatly personified martyrdom it influence the work of later artists. Some of the works he influenced were, â€Å"a series by ?dotard Meant, and Pablo Picasso Massacre in Korea and Queering† (8). The later works that were influenced y him contained a theme of heroism in martyrs, a placement of good facing evil, and numerous other elements. The painting is of great historic significance as well as aesthetic importance. The painting is not merely a historical record but a moment in time in which the viewer can truly feel like they are a part of. Features that make this feeling possible are Soy’s placement of the characters, the high contrast between light and dark (or good and evil), and the uncensored death and terror staring at the viewer. This completely defines a hopeless situation. How to cite Analysis of Fransisco Goyas â€Å"The Third of May†, Papers