Folk Figure. A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Deacon William Brodie was a noted Scottish cabinet maker and an Edinburgh City Councilman, who was also a known burglar and partyman known for his gambling, womaninzing and drinking. Brodie was believed to be the model for the characters of 'Dr. Henry Jekyll' and 'Edward Hyde' in the classic book, "The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde", written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. Beginning his burglary and thiefing career in 1768 by first making keys of his clientele Brodie began to steal money and gambled hard. He also had at least two mistresses and 5 children. In 1786 he began a group of thieves named Ainslie, Brown, and Smith, to help raid the Excise Office, and the Chassels Court on Canongate. That same year the raids failed and Ainslie was captured. He turned King's Evidence against Brodie and the other two men. Brodie escaped to Amsterdam, but was later caught and broght back to Edinburgh to face trial. On August 27, 1788, Brodie's trial began. After less then a month's trial although there was little evidence Brodie and Smith were found guilty, and both were hanged at Tolbooth on October 1, 1788.
Folk Figure. A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Deacon William Brodie was a noted Scottish cabinet maker and an Edinburgh City Councilman, who was also a known burglar and partyman known for his gambling, womaninzing and drinking. Brodie was believed to be the model for the characters of 'Dr. Henry Jekyll' and 'Edward Hyde' in the classic book, "The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde", written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. Beginning his burglary and thiefing career in 1768 by first making keys of his clientele Brodie began to steal money and gambled hard. He also had at least two mistresses and 5 children. In 1786 he began a group of thieves named Ainslie, Brown, and Smith, to help raid the Excise Office, and the Chassels Court on Canongate. That same year the raids failed and Ainslie was captured. He turned King's Evidence against Brodie and the other two men. Brodie escaped to Amsterdam, but was later caught and broght back to Edinburgh to face trial. On August 27, 1788, Brodie's trial began. After less then a month's trial although there was little evidence Brodie and Smith were found guilty, and both were hanged at Tolbooth on October 1, 1788.
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