James Tilly Matthews was delusional.
This makes Matthews the first fully documented case of schizophrenia.
When the French Revolution broke out, he became an ardent advocate for peace between Britain and revolutionary France.
Accused of being a double agent, he was arrested and imprisoned.
The Bethlem Royal Hospital as it was in the mid-18th century.
Image credit:Wikimedia Commons
While at Bedlam, Matthews spiralled deeper into psychosis.
It functioned by directing and modulating magnetically charged air currents toward its victim.
Matthews described these figures with remarkable precision, assigning them distinct identities and personalities.
The machines operator was a sinister and pockmarked woman known only as the Glove Woman.
She was responsible for coordinating with otherAir Loomoperators across London.
Meanwhile, the Middle Man, the machines manufacturer, was also part of this nefarious cabal.
Matthews insisted that he was not the only victim.
According to Matthews, these secret manipulations were no mere personal tormentthey posed a dire national and international threat.
On the basis of this testimony, Matthews family filed a writ ofHabeas Corpusagainst Bedlam, demanding his release.
Eventually, the court refused theHabeas Corpuspetition.
The book, spanning 80 pages, is filled with ramblings of a deeply disturbed mind.
Rake’s Progress, a scene inside Bedlam by 18th-century English artist William Hogarth.
Matthews remained in Bedlam until 1814.
During his confinement, he kept extensive notes detailing both his treatment and the conditions within the asylum.
A psychiatric patient, William Norris, shackled on his bed at Bedlam.
The scandal effectively ended his career.
His replied:“I never saw any human being who was of sound mind.
John Haslam died in London in 1844 at the age of 80.
Encouraged by this recognition, Matthews taught himself draughtsmanship and engraving.
Applying his newfound skills, he drew up architectural plans for a new Bedlam building.
His work so impressed the hospital governors that they awarded him 30 in recognition of his labour and abilities.
Matthews soon took on responsibilities within the institution, assisting with bookkeeping and gardening.
He died the following year, in 1815.
