The Mind Creative MAR 2014 MARCH 2014 | Page 13

The Mind Creative March 2014 William “Deacon” Brodie was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1741. He was born in a wealthy, respectable family and inherited the business of his father who was a well-known cabinet maker. Given his financial status and reputation, Brodie was inducted into many prestigious organisations and acquired numerous prestigious titles including Burgess, Guildbrother and Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights. Eventually, he rose to prominence as official Town Councillor. However, there was a very dark side to Honourable Brodie’s personality. Unknown to the upper classes, he was a compulsive gambler. Brodie’s weakness was known only to three seedy characters from Edinburgh’s underworld – Ainsley, Smith and Brown; with whom he formed a cohort and indulged in night t