Finding aid to Lady Astor Letter to Senator Carter Glass

JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VA 24501
(434) 846-0501
LADY ASTOR LETTER TO SENATOR CARTER GLASS 1938
A letter from Lady Astor, 4 St. James’ Square, London, to Senator Carter Glass inquiring
about Glass’ grandson studying under “Professor Laski, a Non-Aryan Communist.” Harold
Joseph Laski was professor at London School of Economics, 1926-1950. Although the name of
the grandson is illegible, it is presumed to be Powell Glass, Jr., who attended the London School
of Economics and New York University School of Law before joining the Marine Corps in 1940.
NANCY WITCHER LANGHORNE ASTOR
Nancy Witcher Langhorne was born in Danville, Virginia, 19 May 1879, the daughter of Chiswell
Dabney Langhorne and Nancy Witcher Keene. She became the wife of Waldorf Astor and was
the first woman seated in the British Parliament. In Parliament, she championed temperance,
women’s rights and benefits for children. During World War II, she worked with her husband to
boost public morale. She retired from office in 1945.
Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor died on 2 May 1964 and was buried at Cliveden on the
Thames.
POWELL GLASS, JR. (1917-1979)
Powell Glass Jr., was born 21 February 1917 in Lynchburg, the son of Powell Glass, Sr.
and Anne Elizabeth Cleghorn. He was twice married. His first wife was Marianna Rhett DuPont
Glass Hanckel and his second wife was Joan Marilyn DeSardon Glass.
He was graduated from Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn., Washington and Lee
University and the University of Virginia School of Law.
He also attended the London School of Economics and New York (N.Y.) University
School of Law before joining the Marine Corps in 1940.
Glass was publisher and editor of The Sea Coast Echo, a weekly newspaper in Bay St.
Louis, Miss. During that time, he spearheaded a successful federal court suit to reapportion the
Hancock County Board of Supervisors. He also helped found the local United Way agency and
was president of the local Chamber of Commerce.
He returned to Lynchburg and served as fiscal partner and assistant managing partner of
The News and The Daily Advance from 1947 to 1955. He served as general manager of the
corporation from 1970 until 1977.
In addition to serving during World War II, he helped organize Lynchburg’s first Marine
Corps reserve and was on active duty during the Korean Conflict. He was released from active
duty as a lieutenant colonel.
Powell Glass, Jr. died 6 February 1979 in Lynchburg and was buried in Spring Hill
Cemetery.
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4. St. James’ Square
London, S. W. 1.
18th October, 1938
[Typed section]
Dear Senator,
I am sorry your grandson is studying under Professor Laski, a Non-Aryan Communist – it
is as bad as that. I will get hold of him as soon as I can.
[Handwritten section]
Know I wish [illegible name] were coming near. Don’t let them be hard on the Land of [illegible
name] Fore fathers - Neville C[hamberlin]. saved us from war but it may not be forever.
With kindest regards Love
Nancy Astor
Still a Red Hot Rebel

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