John Platt (MP)

For the computer scientist, see John Platt.

John Platt (16 September 1817 - 18 May 1872) ) was an English manufacturer of textile machinery and Liberal politician.

Platt was born at Dobcross, Lancashire, the son of Henry Platt who founded Platt Brothers textile machinery manufacturers in 1770.[1] which by 1820 was based at Werneth area of Oldham.

Platt was elected as the first Liberal Mayor of Oldham in 1854 and held office again in 1855-56. By the mid 1850s his company had established itself as the world's largest textile machinery manufacturer.[2]. Platt acquired property in Llanfairfechan North Wales in 1857 and rebuild Bryn Y Neuadd as a magnificent mansion.[3] He was mayor of Oldham again in 1861-62. In 1865 he was elected Member of Parliament for Oldham. He held the seat until his death in Paris at the age of 55. [4]

Platt married Alice Radcliffe in 1842. Their daughter Mary married Thomas Hardcastle Sykes of the Sykes Bleaching Company. Platt's younger brother James Platt (1824 - 1857), was also elected MP for Oldham in 1857, but died the same year.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Platt family by D.A. Farnie. 
  2. ^ URBED (April 2004). "Oldham Beyond; A Vision for the Borough of Oldham" (PDF). Oldham.gov.uk. http://www.oldham.gov.uk/oldham_beyond_vision.pdf. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
  3. ^ Bryn y Neuadd
  4. ^ Hansard Millbank Systems - John Platt

External links

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
John Morgan Cobbett
John Tomlinson Hibbert		 Member of Parliament for Oldham
with
John Tomlinson Hibbert
1865 - 1872		 Succeeded by
John Morgan Cobbett
John Tomlinson Hibbert