Thomas C. Platt

Who was Thomas C. Platt?

Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives 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. 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." He considered himself to be the "political godfather" of many Republican governors of the state, including Theodore Roosevelt. He is also known for his contribution to the creation of the City of Greater New York which incorporated the four boroughs of Kings, Queens, Richmond and Bronx counties.