Platt, Thomas Collier (1833–1910)

US politician, representative, and senator. Although Platt served in both the US House of Representatives (Republican, New York; 1873–77) and in the US Senate (Republican, New York; 1881, 1897–1909), he was most effective in state politics. He ran the powerful New York Republican machine through patronage and power plays (1881–1902). His political downfall was heralded with the coming of Theodore Roosevelt. Platt worked to have Roosevelt sidetracked as vice-president in 1900, but Roosevelt soon became president and Platt lost much of his power.

He was born in Owego, New York. He started in business as a druggist and eventually rose to become president of the US Express Company (1880–1910). His political career began in 1870 through his alliance with the politician Roscoe Conkling.