Politician. Born in Kinsale (Ireland), his mother was the eldest daughter of Lord Kinsale. Agnew was educated privately and then studied at the Universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. He succeeded his grandfather as 7th Baronet of Lochnaw aged just sixteen, living at Lochnaw Castle in Dumfries and Galloway. He served as Member of Parliament for Wigtownshire, (1830-37). He became a leader of the Lord's Day Society in 1832 and became obsessed with Sabbath Observance, introducing no less than four bills to the House of Commons on that subject. This brought him to the attention of author Charles Dickens, who attacked Agnew accusing of trying to take away any pleasures in life enjoyed by ordinary people.
Locally he was known for his philanthropic work as a genial and kindly landlord. He died from scarlet fever and lies buried in Grange Cemetery in Edinburgh. The Agnew Monument was raised in his memory the following year.
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