Deacon Brodie's Tavern

Category

Library Item

Item no

12418

Title

Deacon Brodie's Tavern, Edinburgh, looking down Bank Street towards the Mound

Artist / maker

MacLean, Kevin

Date

2007

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

A greatly respected member of Edinburgh‘s society, William Brodie (1741-88) was a skilful cabinet-maker and a member of the Town Council as well as deacon (head) of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons. However, unknown to most gentlefolk, Brodie had a secret night-time occupation as the leader of a gang of burglars. An extra-curricular activity that was necessary to support his extravagant lifestyle which included two mistresses, numerous children and a gambling habit.

Brodie’s last crime and ultimate downfall was an armed raid on His Majesty’s Excise Office in Chessel’s Court, on the Canongate. Although Brodie had planned the burglary himself, things went disastrously wrong. Ainslie and Brown were caught and turned King’s Evidence on the rest of the gang. Brodie escaped to the Netherlands, but was arrested in Amsterdam and returned to Edinburgh for trial.

The trial started on 27 August 1788, however little hard evidence could be found to incriminate Brodie. That was, until a search of his house revealed the tools of his illicit trade. The jury found both Brodie and Smith guilty and their execution was set for 1 October 1788.

Brodie was hanged at the Tolbooth with his accomplice George Smith.The final irony was that Brodie was hanged from a gibbet, which he himself had only recently redesigned. He proudly boasted to the crowd that the gallows upon which he was about to die was the most efficient of its kind in existence. Brodie was buried in an unmarked grave at the Parish Church in Buccleuch.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Communication > Post and telegraph > Telephone boxes

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Restaurants and bars

Transport > Infrastructure > Pavements

Transport > Infrastructure > Roads

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