Paul Q. (Paul Quick) Karkeek

Paul Quick Karkeek was born in Truro in September 1843 and was educated at Probus School and in Germany. He trained in medicine at St. Bartholomew's, later served as house surgeon at the Chester Infirmary and assistant house surgeon at the Seamen's Hospital in Greenwich, and then continued his studies in France and Germany before settling in Torquay.

Alongside his medical career, he became a devoted local scholar. He was elected Medical Officer of Health at Torquay in 1878, contributed regularly to the Transactions of the Devonshire Association, and wrote on Devon history and folklore. His Devonshire Witches, first published in 1874, examines the Bideford witch trials and preserves documents and details that might otherwise have faded from view.

Karkeek was remembered as an eager reader and lifelong student with wide interests beyond medicine. He was active in the Torquay Natural History Society, serving as its president in 1894, and in 1900 he was president of the Torquay Medical Society. He died in late 1902 after many years as a respected figure in both Torquay's medical life and Devon's learned societies.