Sir William Agnew, 1st Baronet (20 October 1825 – 31 October 1910) was an English politician and prominent art dealer who was said to have dominated the British market for 30 years.[1][2]Thomas Agnew & Sons, his London art business in Mayfair, flourished as one of the leading art dealerships in London from 1860, until it closed in April 2013, still with the family and known as "Agnew's Gallery", or more informally "Agnew's".[3] On being created baronet in 1895, he was described as "the greatest art publisher and dealer in England".[4]
Life
In the middle of the 1860s, Agnew and his brother Thomas provided much needed financial backing to the publishing firm Bradbury and Evans, becoming partners in the business.[5] Agnew became a Liberalmember of parliament, first for South East Lancashire between 1880 and 1885 and later for Stretford from 1885 to 1886. He was created a baronet, of Great Stanhope Street, London, in 1895.[6]
He bought the Rougham estates in Suffolk, England, in 1904.[6]
Art
Agnew was a prominent art dealer who amassed a large collection through his business. By 1887 it was said that, "no one could have secured so complete a collection of British Art".[4] He had offices in London, Manchester and Liverpool and was aided by his sons and nephew.[4] He sold works to and helped form the great private art collections of the age, including those of Henry Tate and Lord Iveagh.[1][2] He also promoted many leading painters and dominated the art market for thirty years.[1][2]
Family
He was the son of Thomas Agnew (1794–1871) and his wife Jane Garnet Lockett.
On 25 March 1851, he married Mary Kenworthy (before 1836 – 2 September 1892), daughter of George Pixton Kenworthy. Their children were:
