Matthew Locke (c.1621-1677) was an English Baroque composer who was born in Exeter and became a chorister at Exeter Cathedral. He was a prolific and successful composer, writing much music for the stage, and his treatise on music theory, Melothesia, was published in 1673. The title page describes him as Composer in Ordinary to His Majesty, and organist of her Majesty’s chapel – those monarchs being Charles II and Catherine of Braganza.
Locke also served King Charles II as Composer of the Wind Music and Composer for the Violins – his successor was Henry Purcell.