Richard Brothers
Encyclopedia
Richard Brothers was born in Port Kirwan, Newfoundland and Labrador
(earlier known as Admiral's Cove) and became well known as both an early believer and teacher of Anglo-Israelism (alias British Israelism
, a theory concerning the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel). He was educated in Woolwich
, England
and died in London
, England
.
and served under Keppel
and Rodney. In 1783 he became lieutenant, and was honourably discharged on July 28, 1783 receiving a pension which amounted to half-pay (54 pounds per year). He then travelled on the continent of Europe
and later married Elizabeth Hassall in 1786. His marriage was reported as being "unhappy" and so he returned to service in the Royal Navy.
Because he came to believe that military service was not compatible with his new calling to serve Christianity
, in 1789 he once again left the Navy. The theology of Richard Brothers was radically Protestant and Calvinist
. Built upon the principle of individual revelation, Richard Brothers believed that he could not serve the King as head of the Church of England
.
In 1791 he found himself with little income after he began to question the oath required he had taken for receipt of his military half-pay and actions that he then took reduced him to serious pecuniary straits. Richard Brothers then divided his time between the open air and the workhouse where he developed the idea that he had a special divine commission. Brothers claimed to hear the voice of an attending angel which proclaimed to him the fall of Babylon the Great, which was in fact London
. Apparently upon Brother’s plea for mercy, God decided to spare London for a time and the destruction was halted. Around this time, Brothers was also expectant of a heavenly lady who would descend from the clouds showering him with money, love and happiness. In February 1792 Brothers declared himself a healer and claimed he could restore sight to the blind. He drew large crowds, but not due to his healing ability as much as his small gifts of money to those he prayed for.
. Brothers differed from the Puritans of the last century however, by asserting that he would also gather the ‘Jews’ who were hidden amongst the population of Great Britain. In similarity to modern British-Israelists
, Brothers asserted that the ‘hidden Israel’ had no notion of its biological lineage and that part of his role would be to teach them of their true identity and lead them to the land of Canaan
. Brothers proclaimed himself to be Prince of the Hebrews, literal descendant of the Biblical House of David
, and the Nephew of the Almighty who would rule over Israel
until the return of Jesus Christ
. Brothers declared he would achieve all this using a rod he had fashioned from a wild rosebush with which he would perform miracles like Moses
had done.
All this was declared in the first British-Israel
publication in 1794:
‘A REVEALED KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROPHECIES AND TIMES, Book the First, wrote [sic] under the direction of the LORD GOD and published by His Sacred Command, it being the first sign of Warning for the benefit of All Nations; Containing with other great and remarkable things not revealed to any other Person on Earth, the Restoration of the Hebrews to Jerusalem by the year of 1798 under their revealed Prince and Prophet (i.e., Richard Brothers). London, Printed in the year of Christ 1794.’
Brothers began to attract quite a following, but due to his rejection of organisational work and eccentric nature he did not develop any sort of social movement. In consequence of prophesying the death of the King and the end of the monarchy, he was arrested for treason
in 1795, and imprisoned on the grounds of being criminally insane. His case was, however, brought before Parliament by his ardent disciple, Nathaniel Brassey Halhed
, an orientalist
and a member of the House of Commons
. As a result Richard Brothers was removed to a private asylum in Islington
.
While he was in the private asylum Richard Brothers wrote a variety of prophetic pamphlets which gained him many believers. Amongst his supporters was William Sharp, the engraver
. Some of his political predictions such as the violent death of Louis XVI
) seemed to be proof that he was inspired. But when Richard Brothers predicted that on November 19, 1795 he would be revealed as Prince of the Hebrews and Ruler of the world and the date passed without any such manifestation, William Sharp deserted him to become a religious follower of Joanna Southcott
. His followers tended to drift away either disillusioned or embarrassed.
. John Finlayson of London finally secured his release from the private asylum in 1806 and Richard Brothers moved into his London home where he died a lonely figure on 25 January 1824. John Finlayson then began his own financial campaign against the Government seeking payment of an enormous claim for his maintenance of Richard Brothers prior to his death.
Port Kirwan, Newfoundland and Labrador
Port Kirwan is a small incorporated fishing community located on the southern shore of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada. The community so named after a Reverend Mother Mary Bernard Kirwan, foundress of Presentation Sisters of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1853. The community is located on...
(earlier known as Admiral's Cove) and became well known as both an early believer and teacher of Anglo-Israelism (alias British Israelism
British Israelism
British Israelism is the belief that people of Western European descent, particularly those in Great Britain, are the direct lineal descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The concept often includes the belief that the British Royal Family is directly descended from the line of King David...
, a theory concerning the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel). He was educated in Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Life
Richard Brothers entered the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and served under Keppel
Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel
Admiral Augustus Keppel, 1st Viscount Keppel PC was an officer of the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War and the War of American Independence...
and Rodney. In 1783 he became lieutenant, and was honourably discharged on July 28, 1783 receiving a pension which amounted to half-pay (54 pounds per year). He then travelled on the continent of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and later married Elizabeth Hassall in 1786. His marriage was reported as being "unhappy" and so he returned to service in the Royal Navy.
Because he came to believe that military service was not compatible with his new calling to serve Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, in 1789 he once again left the Navy. The theology of Richard Brothers was radically Protestant and Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
. Built upon the principle of individual revelation, Richard Brothers believed that he could not serve the King as head of the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
.
In 1791 he found himself with little income after he began to question the oath required he had taken for receipt of his military half-pay and actions that he then took reduced him to serious pecuniary straits. Richard Brothers then divided his time between the open air and the workhouse where he developed the idea that he had a special divine commission. Brothers claimed to hear the voice of an attending angel which proclaimed to him the fall of Babylon the Great, which was in fact London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Apparently upon Brother’s plea for mercy, God decided to spare London for a time and the destruction was halted. Around this time, Brothers was also expectant of a heavenly lady who would descend from the clouds showering him with money, love and happiness. In February 1792 Brothers declared himself a healer and claimed he could restore sight to the blind. He drew large crowds, but not due to his healing ability as much as his small gifts of money to those he prayed for.
Works
In 1793 Richard Brothers declared himself to be the apostle of a new religion. He began to see himself as possessing a special role in the gathering of the Jews back into PalestinePalestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. Brothers differed from the Puritans of the last century however, by asserting that he would also gather the ‘Jews’ who were hidden amongst the population of Great Britain. In similarity to modern British-Israelists
British Israelism
British Israelism is the belief that people of Western European descent, particularly those in Great Britain, are the direct lineal descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The concept often includes the belief that the British Royal Family is directly descended from the line of King David...
, Brothers asserted that the ‘hidden Israel’ had no notion of its biological lineage and that part of his role would be to teach them of their true identity and lead them to the land of Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
. Brothers proclaimed himself to be Prince of the Hebrews, literal descendant of the Biblical House of David
Davidic line
The Davidic line refers to the tracing of lineage to the King David referred to in the Hebrew Bible, as well as the New Testament...
, and the Nephew of the Almighty who would rule over Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
until the return of Jesus Christ
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
. Brothers declared he would achieve all this using a rod he had fashioned from a wild rosebush with which he would perform miracles like Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
had done.
All this was declared in the first British-Israel
British Israelism
British Israelism is the belief that people of Western European descent, particularly those in Great Britain, are the direct lineal descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The concept often includes the belief that the British Royal Family is directly descended from the line of King David...
publication in 1794:
‘A REVEALED KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROPHECIES AND TIMES, Book the First, wrote [sic] under the direction of the LORD GOD and published by His Sacred Command, it being the first sign of Warning for the benefit of All Nations; Containing with other great and remarkable things not revealed to any other Person on Earth, the Restoration of the Hebrews to Jerusalem by the year of 1798 under their revealed Prince and Prophet (i.e., Richard Brothers). London, Printed in the year of Christ 1794.’
Brothers began to attract quite a following, but due to his rejection of organisational work and eccentric nature he did not develop any sort of social movement. In consequence of prophesying the death of the King and the end of the monarchy, he was arrested for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
in 1795, and imprisoned on the grounds of being criminally insane. His case was, however, brought before Parliament by his ardent disciple, Nathaniel Brassey Halhed
Nathaniel Brassey Halhed
Nathaniel Brassey Halhed was an English Orientalist and philologist. Halhed was born at Westminster. He was educated at Harrow, where he began his intimacy with Richard Brinsley Sheridan, which continued after he entered Christ Church, Oxford...
, an orientalist
Oriental studies
Oriental studies is the academic field of study that embraces Near Eastern and Far Eastern societies and cultures, languages, peoples, history and archaeology; in recent years the subject has often been turned into the newer terms of Asian studies and Middle Eastern studies...
and a member of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
. As a result Richard Brothers was removed to a private asylum in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
.
While he was in the private asylum Richard Brothers wrote a variety of prophetic pamphlets which gained him many believers. Amongst his supporters was William Sharp, the engraver
William Sharp (engraver)
William Sharp , was an English line-engraver and artist.-Life and work:Sharp was the son of a reputable gunsmith who lived at Haydon's Yard, Minories in central London...
. Some of his political predictions such as the violent death of Louis XVI
Louis XVI of France
Louis XVI was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre until 1791, and then as King of the French from 1791 to 1792, before being executed in 1793....
) seemed to be proof that he was inspired. But when Richard Brothers predicted that on November 19, 1795 he would be revealed as Prince of the Hebrews and Ruler of the world and the date passed without any such manifestation, William Sharp deserted him to become a religious follower of Joanna Southcott
Joanna Southcott
Joanna Southcott , was a self-described religious prophetess. She was born at Gittisham in Devon, England.-Self-revelation:...
. His followers tended to drift away either disillusioned or embarrassed.
Death
Brothers spent the last 30 years of his life designing the flags, uniforms and palaces of the New JerusalemNew Jerusalem
In the book of Ezekiel, the Prophecy of New Jerusalem is Ezekiel's prophetic vision of a city to be established to the south of the Temple Mount that will be inhabited by the twelve tribes of Israel in the...
. John Finlayson of London finally secured his release from the private asylum in 1806 and Richard Brothers moved into his London home where he died a lonely figure on 25 January 1824. John Finlayson then began his own financial campaign against the Government seeking payment of an enormous claim for his maintenance of Richard Brothers prior to his death.
Further reading
- Kossy, Donna. "The Anglo-Israelites" in Kooks: A Guide to the Outer Limits of Human Belief, Los Angeles: Feral HouseFeral HouseFeral House is a book publisher owned and operated by Adam Parfrey. The publisher itself describes the books it sells as "pure information", and says the topics of the books are "forbidden"....
, 2001 (2nd ed. exp. from 1994). (ISBN 978-0-922915-67-5)
External links
- A Revealed Knowledge of the Prophesies and Times Text and commentary.