James Tilly Matthews

James Tilly Matthews (1770 – January 10, 1815) was a British tea merchant and political activist, noted today as one of the more well-known examples of the influencing machine delusion, having been committed to the Bethlem Royal Hospital (Bedlam) in 1797 after shouting "treason" in the British House of Commons. Matthews was convinced that "Air Loom" gangs were controlling many important figures in British life, including himself, and provided extensive detail of their operations and techniques.

Resources

 * Mike Jay, "The Air Loom Gang: James Tilly Matthews and his visionary madness" (nthposition.com) &mdash; summary article for the 2004 book.