Lockey Hill cello, London circa 1775

Second generation violin maker of the celebrated Hill dynasty of English luthiers, Lockey Hill (1756-1810) was the fifth son of Joseph Hill I (1715-1784). A leading and prolific maker, he built trade instruments for the London company of Longman & Co. (also Longman, Lukey & Broderip; Longman & Broderip), in addition to personal models bearing his own label. His son Henry Lockey Hill (also Lockey II or Henry Hill 1774-1835) took over the family workshop in 1810, and in turn passed the business to his own sons, including William Ebsworth Hill (1817-1895) - head of the most acclaimed violin company in London in the 19th century: W. E. Hill & Sons, which exists today as the oldest continuously operating violin firm in England.