Caroline Schermerhorn Astor (1830-1908), also known as "The Mrs. Astor," was the matron of New York and Newport society.
Mrs. Astor was born Caroline Webster Schermerhorn in New York City. Mrs. Astor was from a wealthy merchant family whose ancestors were among New York's first Dutch settlers. Mrs. Astor married William Backhouse Astor Jr. in 1853.
With her advisor, Samuel Ward McAllister, Mrs. Astor created "the Four Hundred," a social list comprised of a carefully selected group of upper-class families. An invitation to one of Mrs. Astor's events solidified one's status as a member of upper-class society.
Mrs. Astor shunned anyone who was not a member of the Four Hundred. But she did make one exception. In 1883, Alva Vanderbilt organized a masquerade ball in New York during the winter season but did not invite the Astors' daughter Caroline. Mrs. Astor acquiesced and called on the Vanderbilts in return for an invitation to the Vanderbilt ball. In so doing, Mrs. Astor allowed the newly monied Vanderbilts into the upper echelon of society.