Agar, Herbert (Sebastian)

Agar, Herbert [Sebastian] (1897–1980), historian and critic, whose books include The Garment of Praise (1929), a study of English poetry, written in collaboration with his wife, Eleanor Carroll Chilton; The People's Choice (1933, Pulitzer Prize), a study of American Presidents; Land of the Free (1935), a survey of American culture; The Pursuit of Happiness (1938), a history of the Democratic party; and Who Owns America? (1936), a compilation edited with Allen Tate. As the editor of the Louisville Courier‐Journal (1940–42) and the author of Beyond German Victory (1940) he helped arouse public opinion before the U.S. entered World War II. Other books include: A Time for Greatness (1942), appraising American culture and indicating a role for the U.S. in the world crisis; The Price of Union (1950), on the U.S. political system; A Declaration of Faith (1952), calling for a revival of natural law; Price of Power (1957), on U.S. foreign relations; The Saving Remnant (1960), on charitable work to save persecuted Jews abroad; The Perils of Democracy (1966); and The Darkest Hour (1973), about Britain at war, 1940–41.