Broderick was born in London and educated at Harrow and later Edinburgh University. He was the nephew of Prideaux John Selby, one of the leading ornithologists of the day. Audubon stayed at the Selby estate at Twizell House giving drawing lessons and strongly influenced the young Broderick. Broderick illustrated Falconry in the British Isles which was published in 1855 and reprinted in 1873. He also issued a rare folio edition of Falconer's Favourites in 1865. For many years Broderick rented Belford Hall near his uncle's estates and regularly flew his falcons there