Talk:James Tilly Matthews

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Er, why is there a 'See Also' for Tin-foil hat? I'm sure tin was very expensive at the time, plus there already is a link to paranoia from here. -Uagehry456|Talk_{JordanhillVote} 07:17, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

Weren't his delusions were founded in reality?

Didn't "The Air Loom Gang" reveal evidence that the delusions of political corruption were actually founded in reality? Why isn't that mentioned in this article? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Wigglestrue (talk • contribs) 04:32, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

I believe the article mentions that it remained unclear whether or not Matthews was being held prisoner in Bedlam at the behest of corrupt authorities or whether it was because of his mental illness. As for the actual "Air Loom" in itself, however, there's just no chance a machine like that could have existed (and functioned) in physical reality. The so-called "technology" behind it can't possibly function in the real world. Remember: it is based on the (now obsolete) pseudoscientific theory of "animal magnetism" and humours. There's just no way it could have actually functioned. As for genuine political corruption, however, now THAT'S a completely different story altogether..! 83.140.111.147 (talk) 22:18, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

Could there have been some form of extrapolation based on what was actually happening/what Matthews had heard while in France (ie that there were those in France seeking to influence notable figures in the British administration to support their cause) which became conflated with his mental illness, and describing his fantasies in terms of contemporary technology (and now there might well be references to The Manchurian Candidate and similar processes?

And even if he had been 'just another person who had gone from eccentricity to madness', the fact that he (a) had been to France and (b) claimed that certain British politicians were being influenced by French ideas/activities, might have been enough to spook them into keeping him out of the way #even if they had no contact with the French# - 'finger of suspicion' etc. Jackiespeel (talk) 16:51, 27 November 2009 (UTC)

Temporal confusion?

"In 1814 Matthews was moved to 'Fox's London House,' a private asylum in Hackney, where he became a popular and trusted patient, the asylum's owner, Dr. Fox, regarding him as sane. Matthews assisted with book-keeping and gardening until his death on 10 January 1814"

This seems to be saying that he became a popular and trusted patient of Dr. Fox, and assisted with bookkeeping and gardening (how much gardening can one do in the snow?) for, at absolute most, ten days.

Can someone please check and possibly correct the dates on this? 173.12.172.149 (talk) 21:59, 28 November 2010 (UTC)

Place of birth

The article currently simply says "originally from Wales". I have added a tag. Martinevans123 (talk) 19:57, 22 January 2013 (UTC)

Page 406 of Andrews et al (2013) simply says "of Welsh and Huguenot descent". There is no clear suggestion that he was "from Wales". I have amended the text accordingly. Martinevans123 (talk) 21:19, 5 May 2022 (UTC)