| Matthew Locke | |
| Office: | Secretary at War |
| Term Start: | 1666 |
| Term End: | 1683 |
| Predecessor: | Sir William Clarke |
| Successor: | William Blathwayt |
| Birth Date: | 1660 |
| Birth Place: | England |
| Death Date: | 1683 |
Matthew Locke (fl. 1660–1683) was an English administrator, holder of the post of Secretary at War from 1666 to 1683, when he sold it.[1]
Locke was clerk to the "Irish and Scottish Committee" set up in 1651, and later gave evidence against Henry Vane the Younger who was on it.[2] He was a nephew of Sir Paul Davis, also concerned in Irish business as administrator, and was then private secretary to George Monck.[3] He was related also, at some distance, to Robert Southwell.[4]
After the death of Monck (who had become the Duke of Albemarle) in 1670, Locke transformed the role of his secretaryship. It took on a significant share of military movement and supply orders. Locke's tenure consolidated the administrative role of the post.[5]
The secretaryship was bought from Locke in 1683 by William Blathwayt, who had royal backing.[4]
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