Lockey Hill cello, London circa 1790

Second generation violin maker of the celebrated Hill dynasty of English luthiers, Lockey Hill (1756-1810) was the fifth son of Joseph Hill (1715-1784). A leading maker of his time, Lockey built trade instruments for the London company of Longman & Co. in addition to his personal instruments. His son Henry Lockey Hill (Lockey II or Henry Hill, 1774-1835) took over the family workshop in 1810, who in turn passed the business to his own sons, including William Ebsworth Hill (1817-1895)-founder of the most acclaimed violin company in London in the 19th century, W. E. Hill & Sons.