BRODIE'S
CLOSE
This close will be forever associated
with one of Edinburgh’s
most infamous sons, Deacon
William Brodie, a leading
figure in respectable 18th century society during the
day but a thief by night.
Originally, the Close was only
a ‘throwgang’ which
passed from the Lawnmarket to the Cowgate. However, in
1570 a mansion was built towards the foot of the close,
on the south east side of an open court, by Edinburgh
magistrate William Little. The close bore the Little
family name until the early 18th century, when it was
renamed Cullen’s Close after the eminent
judge who lived in the mansion.
The Brodie family was next to
take up residence here. One of Scotland’s most ancient families, the Brodies
can trace their roots as far back as MacBeth. Ludovick
Brodie, the first Brodie to live in the mansion, was
a much respected Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh and,
on his death in 1758, aged 86, was the oldest member
of the Society. His son, Francis, was born here in 1708;
rather than follow law, he became a very prosperous wright
and cabinetmaker, and was elected a member of the Town
Council as Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights by
his fellow craftsmen. The Brodie family was firmly established
in Edinburgh society, and it was during this time the
close was named Brodie’s Close.
Francis’s son – and, as it turned out, black
sheep of the family – William Brodie, was born
in the mansion in September 28th 1741. Before achieving
notoriety he had followed in his father’s footsteps,
successfully continuing the family business and becoming
the second Brodie to be elected Deacon of the Incorporation
of Wrights. When his father died in 1782 William inherited
the family business, a considerable number of houses
in the city, the family mansion in the close, and the
sum of £10,000.
Around 1835, because of ‘the improvements’ being
made to Edinburgh, the Brodie mansion was demolished,
and is now covered by Victoria Terrace. At a later date,
the Deacon’s workshops and woodyard, which were
situated at the lower extremity of the close, made way
for the foundations of the Free Library Central Library
on George IV Bridge. Apart from the Thistle room in
the Celtic Lodge, which may have been used as a showroom,
nothing now remains of the Brodies apart from their name
above the entrance to the close, and the continuing legend
of Deacon William Brodie – gentleman by day, thief
by night. |