Born in Wiltshire 9 Jun 1783, son of Rev Peter Bellinger Brodie and Sarah Collins. His uncle was Thomas Denman, physician and obstetrician, alumnus of St George's and father-in-law of Matthew Baillie.
Student at Charterhouse School in London and St Bartholomew's under John Abernethy in 1801, Windmill Street School of Anatomy in 1802 under John Hunter and at St George's under Everard Home in 1803. Appointed house surgeon at St George's in 1805, assistant surgeon in 1808, surgeon in 1822. Lectured on surgery at the Windmill Street School of Anatomy and at St George's.
Private practice since 1813. Surgeon to the royal family, initially George IV; sergeant-surgeon to William IV and Queen Victoria. Baronetcy 1834. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons 1805; fellow of the Royal Society 1810, aged 26, and president 1858; foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science 1834; corresponding member of the French Institute 1844; foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; DCL of Oxford 1855; first president of the General Medical Council.
Published widely on surgery, including 1818 'Pathological and Surgical Observations on the Diseases of the Joints', which led to reduction in the number of amputation and new treatments for joint diseases. He also published on diseases of the urinary organs and nervous affections. In 1854 he published, initially anonymously, 'Psychological Inquiries'.
Married Anne Sellon in 1816; they had four children, including chemist Benjamin Collins Brodie, 2nd Baronet. He resigned from St George's in 1840 and retired to Surrey. Died of a shoulder tumour in Broome Park, Surrey 21 Oct 1862, aged 79.