Ah, I suppose the fact that the only other language I can really speak/read reliably is Spanish probably limits the sources I've got immediate access to.

That question mainly came from the fact that I discovered this bit of history around the time I was doing a pretty hefty research project on high-functioning autism, and many of the traits described by both his friends and enemies fit quite well within the criteria.
But I definitely agree about the fact that most of those traits probably didn't really affect the course of history. (Well, unless he really did get the shakes, and the botched-suicide theory is the true one...)

Never thought of those sort of descriptions being used as smear campaigns (since when does twitching indicate a malicious spirit?), but come to think of it, the only modern portrayal I've seen (given I've not seen too terribly many) that seems to portray them more as signs of intensity rather than in a negative light was an old black and white movie.. The title was 'La terreur et la vertu' or something similar to that.

Haha.. Your summarized explanation was still pretty thorough.