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Thomas Collier Platt (July 15, 1833 – March 6, 1910) was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1873–1877) and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881, 1897 to 1909—is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th century and early 20th century.〔Samuel P. Orth, ''The Boss and the Machine'', 124 (1919).〕 Upon his death, the ''New York Times'' stated that "no man ever exercised less influence in the Senate or the House of Representatives than he," but "no man ever exercised more power as a political leader."〔"(Progress and Fall of Platt, Easy Boss )," ''New York Times'', 1910-06-07 at p. 2.〕 He considered himself the "political godfather" of many Republican governors of the state, including Theodore Roosevelt.〔Thomas C. Platt, "The Autobiography of Thomas Collier Platt" (1910).〕 Platt played a key role in the creation of the City of Greater New York, which incorporated together the boroughs of New York (Manhattan), Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Richmond (Staten Island) and Bronx counties. ==Personal background== Platt was born to William Platt, a lawyer, and Lesbia Hinchman in Owego, New York on July 15, 1833.〔"Platt, Thomas Collier." ''Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge'', volume 15, copyright 1991. Grolier Inc., ISBN 0-7172-5300-7〕 State Senator Nehemiah Platt (1797–1851) was William Platt's brother. William Platt, a successful attorney and strict Presbyterian, encouraged his son to enter the ministry. Accordingly, the young Platt was prepared for college at the Owego Academy and attended Yale College (1850–1852), where he studied theology, but failed to earn a degree. After leaving Yale in 1852, he entered into a variety of employments. He started out as a druggist (a business in which he was engaged for two decades), was briefly an editor of a small newspaper, served as President of the Tioga National Bank, and was interested in the lumbering business in Michigan. He also acted as President of the Southern Central and other railways. In 1852, he married Ellen Lucy Barstow, with whom he had three sons: Edward T. Platt, Frank H. Platt, and Henry B. Platt.〔"(All Platt's Estate Goes to his Sons )," ''New York Times'', 1910-03-26 at p. 9〕 Platt became Secretary and a director of the United States Express Co. in 1879 and was elected President of the company in 1880. He was a member and President of the Board of Quarantine Commissioners of New York from 1880 to 1888. He was President of the Tennessee Coal & Iron Company for several years. Two years after his first wife died in 1901, he married Lillian Janeway, whom the ''New York Times'' described as "young enough in appearance to pass for his daughter."〔"(Platts Have Separated; Formally Announce It )," New York Times, 1906-11-15 at p. 1.〕 Their "legal separation" was announced in 1906.〔 He died in New York City, March 6, 1910 and was interred in Evergeen Cemetery, Owego, N.Y. At the time of his death he remained married to Lillian, but she received nothing in his will.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Thomas C. Platt」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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