Richard Brothers was born on Christmas Day, 1757. He joined the Royal Navy, and was later discharged on half-pay. He developed the idea that God had given him a divine mission, and that he descended from King David through James, brother of Christ, and was thus God's nephew, and wrote the king and Parliament notifying them. He began publishing prophecies in pamphlets, and won many converts, but was arrested for treason after prophesying the death of the king, and was declared a lunatic. He later announced that on 19 Nov. 1795 he would be revealed as prince of the Hebrews and king; when the date passed without incident, he lost many followers, but continued to prophesy for the rest of his life. His theory that the Anglo-Saxons are descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel is still active.
From the description of Richard Brothers letter to William Sharp, circa 1795. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 63173091
