Matthew Locke (administrator)

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.

[4] After the death of Monck (who had become the Duke of Albemarle) in 1670, Locke transformed the role of his secretaryship.

[5] The secretaryship was bought from Locke in 1683 by William Blathwayt, who had royal backing.