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William Brodie, Scottish cabinetmaker and criminal, 1788. Artist: John Kay
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William Brodie, Scottish cabinetmaker and criminal, 1788. Artist: John Kay
William Brodie, Scottish cabinetmaker and criminal, 1788. A prosperous Edinburgh cabintmaker, Brodie (1741-1788) had a secret life as the leader of a gang of burglars. He was hanged for robbing the Excise Office in Edinburgh. Brodies double existence is thought to have been the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevensons The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
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Media ID 14847334
© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images
Burglar Cabinet Maker Cabinetmaker Criminal Georgian John Kay Prig Robert Louis Balfour Robert Louis Stevenson Stevenson Thief Ann Ronan Pictures Brodie Scots
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the enigmatic figure of William Brodie, a Scottish cabinetmaker and criminal from the late 18th century. In this portrait by John Kay, we see Brodie dressed in fashionable attire, his confident gaze hinting at a double life hidden beneath his respectable exterior. Brodie was not just an accomplished craftsman; he led a secret gang of burglars that terrorized Edinburgh during his time. His audacious exploits culminated in the infamous robbery of the Excise Office, which ultimately led to his downfall and execution by hanging. It is believed that Brodie's intriguing dual existence served as inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's iconic novella, "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". In this monochrome etching, every detail speaks volumes about Brodie's complex character. The table beside him symbolizes both his legitimate profession as a cabinetmaker and his illicit activities as a thief. The Georgian backdrop reflects the era in which he thrived, while Scotland itself becomes an integral part of this tale of crime and deception. As we delve into this image captured by John Kay, we are reminded that even those who appear upright can harbor dark secrets within their souls. William Brodie remains forever immortalized through art as both a skilled artisan and cunning criminal – forever leaving us intrigued by the duality inherent in human nature.
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