(1761 - 1836), e. s. of James Agar of Gowran Castle, co.Kilkenny, who was cr. B. Clifden [I] 1776, and Vct. Clifden [I] 1781; educ. Westminster and Ch.Ch. Oxf. 1778; suc. fa. 1789 as 2nd Vct.; m. 1792 Ldy. Caroline Spencer, dau. of 4th D. of Marlborough; MP 1783 - 9 [I], 1793 - 1802; suc. gt. uncle Welbore Ellis 1802 as 2nd B. Mendip; FSA 1803; took surname Ellis 1804 [sometimes wrongly called Agar-Ellis, and has been confused with his uncle, Welbore Ellis Agar].
1783 Rome (by May)
1787 - 8 Bologna (May 1788)
Agar was in Rome early in 1783; on 10 May Thomas Jenkins told John Strange that Agar was 'the only Dilettanti amongst our Gentlemen travellers this year', and that he had 'sought for bargains, Anders[on] sends me word that he has sold him two of your pictures amounting to sixty five crowns'.1 In 1786 Agar recalled with regret 'some years ago' having passed over the offer of the Boccapaduli Poussin Sacraments for £;1500, since Gavin Hamilton was critical of their condition.2
He may have returned to Italy in 1787. According to Thomas Watkins, a 'Lord Clifden' spent the winter of 1787 - 8 in Italy,3 and 'Agar of Christ Church' was in Bologna at the end of May 1788.4
1. Eg.1970, f.124. 2. HMC Rutland, 3:347. 3. Letters, 2:90n. 4. Porter MSS.
AGUS, musician.
- 1770 - Florence ('Signor Nardini has a great number of young professors under his care ... among whom is a son of Mr Agus, from England'; Burney, Tour, 259)