Many characters in fiction are modelled on a reality, and the man upon whom Robert Louis Stevenson based his character Dr Jekyll was William Brodie, a respected Scottish businessman. Brodie was born in Edinburgh about 1741, the son of a rich cabinetmaker. AS a city councillor and city leader of the masons guild he was held in high esteem. But he had a secret life, which no one knew about. By day Deacon Brodie, as he was called, was a respected businessman and doer of good deeds, but by night he was a gambler and a thief.
His life of crime began at the age of twenty seven when he robbed a bank. For 18 years he continued to burgle without being caught. But like most thieves, he eventually made a mistake. In 1786 he teamed up with three petty thieves and together they planned to raid the headquarters of the Scottish Customs and Excise. Their plan went wrong and a customs officer caught them. Brodie got away and fled to Amsterdam, intending to make this way to America. But unfortunately for him, one of the others John Brown, turned Kings evidence to save himself for being transported for other crimes.
Police caught up with Brodie in Amsterdam the night before he was to leave for America. He was extradited and sent for trial in Scotland. There was no chance for him. Police had found a burglar’s black suit, false keys and guns. He was sentenced to death and hanged on Oct 1st 1788.
In The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Robert Louis Stevenson shows that evil can be in every man and that often it can override the goodness in him, as it did with Deacon Brodie.
Last updated: 29/04/2008
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Many characters in fiction are modelled on a reality, and the man upon whom Robert Louis Stevenson based his character Dr Jekyll was William Brodie, a respected Scottish businessman. Brodie was born in Edinburgh about 1741, the son of a rich cabinetmaker. AS a city councillor and city leader of the masons guild he was held in high esteem. But he had a secret life, which no one knew about. By day Deacon Brodie, as he was called, was a respected businessman and doer of good deeds, but by night he was a gambler and a thief.