Robert Matthews (1788–c. 1841) was an American religious figure who gathered a cult-like following in 1830s [[New York]].<ref>Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America, New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (ISBN 0-19-509835-8)</ref> He created a small utopian commune in the "[[Burnt Over District]]" over New York that became known as The Kingdom. He met [[Joseph Smith]] in 1835, a meeting which resulted in the two men decrying the other as "satanic" and frauds. He attracted a number of influential followers including wealthy businessmen and [[Sojourner Truth]].
+
'''Robert Matthews''' (1788–c. 1841) was an American religious figure who gathered a cult-like following in 1830s [[New York]].<ref>Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America, New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (ISBN 0-19-509835-8)</ref> He created a small utopian commune in the "[[Burned-over district|Burned-Over District]]" of New York that became known as The Kingdom. He met [[Joseph Smith]] in 1835, a meeting which resulted in the two men decrying the other as "satanic" and frauds. He attracted a number of influential followers including wealthy businessmen and [[Sojourner Truth]].
A book, ''The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America'', details his life and the cult that he established.
A book, ''The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America'', details his life and the cult that he established.