Madame Brussels

This is the story of Marvellous Melbourne and an age-old profession. It is also a tale of one woman’s pure tenacity. Many of us know about Melbourne’s legendary brothel keeper and businesswoman Madame Brussels, but little is known about Caroline Hodgson, the woman behind the name. The authors of this fascinating biography do not know why Hodgson chose the name of Brussels for her enterprise, but believe it is likely she did so for the effect.

To avoid confusion between references to Caroline Hodgson and her husband, the authors refer to her throughout the book by her given name, and so I will too. Caroline arrived in Melbourne in 1871. Left alone when her police-officer husband was sent to work in remote Victoria, she turned her hand to running brothels and entertainment businesses. Her principal establishment was in Lonsdale Street and catered to Melbourne’s upper classes. She offered not only services associated with brothels, but also options for dancing and drinking. It was perfectly timed. Melbourne was at that time a British type of city in its boom period and places of entertainment were welcomed.

In this work, personalities are highlighted among Caroline’s clients, including various police officers, politicians, and society figures, and articles that appeared in the papers during her years of operation provide additional insight. There are also details of Hodgson’s daily life and her afternoon glass of champagne. The book notes with delicious detail Melbourne’s shifting moral compass and how it swayed in different directions depending on who was holding the arrow. This extraordinary, defiant, working class but educated woman rode Melbourne’s boom of the 1880s and survived the Depression years including the ridiculous moral panic of the early 1900s. To put it simply, in Hodgson’s lifetime, Melbourne went from tolerance of sex work to complete prohibition.

Included in this gorgeous book are maps, sketches and photos which history buffs will enjoy. Feminists will be pleased that a businesswoman is finally acknowledged for her work. And readers that enjoy a titillating gossip session, like me, will read this book quickly and with utter delight.