Richard Birnie was born in Scotland in 1760. Apprenticed as a saddler he moved to London where he found work with a company that supplied equipment to the Royal Family. Birnie impressed the owner of the company and he was eventually made a partner. Further progress was made when he married the daughter of a wealthy London merchant.

Richard Birnie became a magistrate at Bow Street. He soon developed a reputation for being autocratic and vindictive. Birnie was very ambitious and was keen to become Chief Magistrate, a post that would guarantee him a knighthood. Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary, gaveBirnie the task of arranging the arrest of Arthur Thistlewood and the other Spenceans involved in the Cato Street Conspiracy.

In 1821 Sir Robert Baker, the Chief Magistrate, failed to take positive action when a serious disturbance took place at Queen Caroline's funeral. Birnie took control and read the Riot Act on his own initiative. Soon after this incident Baker resigned and Birnie replaced him as Chief Magistrate. Sir Richard Birnie died in 1832.