Oates, Titus (1649–1705), an English conspirator. In 1678 he and a co-conspirator, Israel Tonge, fabricated the so-called Popish Plot; they claimed that they had learned of a Jesuit scheme that involved burning London, murdering Charles II and placing his brother James (a Catholic) on the throne, and inciting a general uprising of Catholics. Their story was believed and a frenzy of anti-Catholic feeling swept England. Before the panic ended in 1681, at least 35 Catholics were put to death. Many others were persecuted. After the accession of James II to the throne in 1685, Oates was convicted of perjury. He was pardoned and pensioned after the Revolution of 1688.