William Brodie

Events

2

Episodes

3

Years

1788

Every event in Historedia whose sources name William Brodie, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

1. Reward Notice for William Brodie in Edinburgh

   1788

   Role: Recorded subject of the reward notice; Edinburgh city councillor and secret burglar

   1. 15 March 1788 · Excise office in Chessels Court, on the CanongateChessels Court Excise Raid Preceding the Recorded Notice

      Brodie organised an armed raid on the excise office in Chessels Court, on the Canongate, on 5 March 1788; the case led to his downfall.

2. Trial and Execution of William Brodie

   1788

   Role: Defendant, cabinet-maker and Edinburgh city councillor, executed by hanging

   1. 227 August 1788 · Edinburgh, ScotlandTrial of Brodie and Smith

      Brodie and Smith stood trial together in Edinburgh from 27 August 1788, arising from the March raid on the excise office.

   2. 31 October 1788 · Old Tolbooth, High Street, EdinburghHanging at the Old Tolbooth

      Brodie and Smith were hanged at the Old Tolbooth on the High Street on 1 October 1788 before a crowd of 40,000.

Sources

1. William Brodie Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-03