William Brodie was a man of contradictions. By day, he was a respected cabinetmaker, city councillor, and deacon of the trades in 18th-century Edinburgh. By night, he was a cunning thief who used his insider knowledge to rob the very people who trusted him. His dramatic downfall and execution in 1788 have cemented his place as one of Edinburgh’s most notorious figures, inspiring Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
A Respected Citizen
Born in 1741, William Brodie grew up in a well-to-do family in Edinburgh. His father was a successful cabinetmaker, and young Brodie followed in his footsteps, inheriting the business and gaining a reputation as one of the city's finest craftsmen. His skills earned him commissions from the wealthiest clients, furnishing homes with elegant furniture and securing his place among Edinburgh’s elite.
As a deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights, Brodie was also involved in city governance, making decisions that shaped Edinburgh’s development. He was a man of influence, trusted by his peers, and respected for his craftsmanship. But beneath this polished exterior, another Brodie lurked in the shadows.
The Criminal Mastermind
Brodie’s double life began out of necessity—or greed, depending on how you see it. He had a taste for gambling, cockfighting, and a lavish lifestyle that far exceeded his earnings. To fund his vices, he began using his expertise as a tradesman to break into homes and businesses. He had access to keys and locks, often making copies to let himself in undetected at a later time.
His most daring heists targeted the very people who held him in high regard. He orchestrated burglaries across Edinburgh, stealing cash and valuables from wealthy residents. His knowledge of the city's security measures gave him an advantage, and for years, he remained undetected, living a thrilling double life.
The Beginning of the End
In 1788, Brodie decided to up the stakes. He planned an ambitious robbery at the Excise Office on Chessel’s Court, a government building where tax money was stored. With a small gang, he attempted the break-in, but things went terribly wrong. The gang panicked, the job was botched, and soon authorities were on their trail.
One of his accomplices, under pressure, turned informant, exposing Brodie’s role in the crimes. Realizing he was in danger, Brodie fled to Amsterdam, but his luck had finally run out. He was captured, extradited back to Edinburgh, and put on trial for his crimes.
The Trial and Execution
Brodie’s trial in 1788 was a spectacle. The evidence against him was overwhelming, including skeleton keys found in his home, tools for burglary, and testimonies from his former accomplices. The jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to death.
On October 1, 1788, William Brodie was hanged on the gallows at the Old Tolbooth, ironically a structure he had once helped to design as part of his official duties. Legend has it that he wore a hidden steel collar and hoped to cheat death, but there was no miraculous escape. His double life came to a grim end, but his legend lived on.
Legacy and Inspiration
Deacon Brodie’s tale fascinated generations to come. His story inspired Robert Louis Stevenson, an Edinburgh native, who used the concept of duality in his famous novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Today, you can still visit Brodie’s Close on the Lawnmarket, where he once lived, and raise a glass to his memory at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern on the Royal Mile.
From respectable tradesman to infamous thief, William Brodie’s story remains one of the most compelling in Edinburgh’s history. A man who quite literally lived a double life—until it finally caught up with him.
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