Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Locock, Charles
LOCOCK, Sir CHARLES (1790–1875), obstetric physician, son of Henry Locock, M.D., was born at Northampton, 21 April 1799. For three years he was resident private pupil of Sir Benjamin Brodie in London, and afterwards graduated M.D. at Edinburgh in 1821. Brodie recommended him to devote himself specially to midwifery, and he was fortunate in receiving the commendations of Dr. Gooch, who was retiring from practical midwifery. After 1825 he rapidly rose to the first rank, and long had the best practice in London as an accoucheur. In 1834-5 he lectured at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and was for many years physician to the Westminster Lying-in Hospital. He was admitted a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1836, and was a member of its council in 1840-1-2. In 1840 he was appointed first physician accoucheur to Queen Victoria, and attended at the birth of all her children. Besides contributing some practical articles to the 'Cyclopædia of Practical Medicine' and to the 'Library of Medicine,' he made a valuable contribution to medicine by the discovery of the efficacy of bromide of potassium in epilepsy (see Reports of Discussion, Royal Med.-Chir.Soc.; Lancet and Medical Times, 23 May 1857). In 1857 he was created a baronet, although he had declined the honour in 1840. He was president of the Royal Medical and Chirurgicel Society in 1857, was elected F.R.S., and created D.C.L. Oxon. in 1864, He unsuccessfully contested the Isle of Wight as a conservative in 1865. He died 23 July 1875, Sir James Paget describes him as having great power of work and devotion to duty, quick, keen insight, and great practical knowledge of his profession. He was not learned, and had little scientific power. He was genial in society, and a good story-teller.
Locock married, on 5 Aug. 1826, Amelia, youngest daughter of John Lewis. esq. By her he had four sons, of whom the eldest, Charles Brodie, succeeded to the baronetcy, and the third son, Sidney (1834-1885), was the British minister resident in Servia from 1881 till his death on 30 Aug. 1885.
[Lancet, 1875, ii. 184; Med. Times, 1875, ii. 137; Brit. Med. Journal, 1875, ii. 151; Munk's Coll. of Phys. iii. 270-2; Proc. Roy. Med.-Chir. Soc. viii. 62-6.]