James Platt (1823 – 27 August 1857) was a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

Radical Radical may refer to: Politics and ideology Politics *Radical politics, the political intent of fundamental societal change *Radicalism (historical), the Radical Movement that began in late 18th century Britain and spread to continental Europe and ...

politician and manufacturer.

Manufacturing business

Alongside his brother

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

, Platt was a partner in the world's largest machine-making firm,

Platt Brothers Platt Brothers, also known as Platt Bros & Co Ltd, was a British company based at Werneth in Oldham, North West England. The company manufactured textile machinery and were iron founders and colliery proprietors. By the end of the 19th century, ...

; the firm—established by their father Henry in partnership with Elijah Hibbert—created machinery for the textile industry in the UK and overseas. In 1854, the Platt brothers bought out the Hibberts' interest.

Political career

Platt was active in local politics, taking a leading role in successfully campaigning for Oldham to be incorporated as a

municipal borough Municipal boroughs were a type of local government district which existed in England and Wales between 1835 and 1974, in Northern Ireland from 1840 to 1973 and in the Republic of Ireland from 1840 to 2002. Broadly similar structures existed in S ...

. This happened in 1849, with Platt being elected as one of the town's first councillors, holding that position until 1852 when he was defeated. However, he returned to the council in 1853, and then chosen as an alderman in 1856. he was particularly active on educational issues, noting that "ignorance is... the parent and perpetuation of error and misery". His council career aided his parliamentary career, allowing him to be elected Radical MP for

Oldham Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England, amid the Pennines and between the rivers Irk and Medlock, southeast of Rochdale and northeast of Manchester. It is the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, wh ...

1857 Events January–March * January 1 – The biggest Estonian newspaper, ''Postimees'', is established by Johann Voldemar Jannsen. * January 7 – The partly French-owned London General Omnibus Company begins operating. * Janua ...

. Supporters of the incumbent Radical

William Johnson Fox William Johnson Fox (1 March 1786 – 3 June 1864) was an English Unitarian minister, politician, and political orator. Early life Fox was born at Uggeshall Farm, Wrentham, near Southwold, Suffolk on 1 March 1786. His parents were strict Calvi ...

approached both Platt and his brother in 1856 to stand for election, with James accepting. However, local divisions led to a rival candidate

John Morgan Cobbett John Morgan Cobbett (13 November 1800 – 13 February 1877) was a Conservative Party and Liberal Party politician. Trained as a barrister, he was the second son of the English pamphleteer, farmer, journalist and Member of Parliament William ...

also standing in the radical interest. During campaigning, Platt emphasised his local roots, and said he supported extension of education, the ballot, shorter parliaments, the redistribution of seats, universal suffrage, disestablishment of the church, and admission of Jews to Parliament. During the course of the campaign, it became apparent Platt would succeed in taking second place, with Fox pushed into third, leading Platt to offer to retire in favour of Fox. This was not pursued, leading to Fox losing his seat. However, Platt's tenure was cut shot by his accidental death just four months later.

Death

Platt was killed after a shooting accident on

Saddleworth Moor Saddleworth Moor is a moorland in North West England. Reaching more than above sea level, it is in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. It is crossed by the A635 road and the Pennine Way passes to its eastern side. Geography ...

while on an excursion with

mayor Josiah Radcliffe and Joshua Radcliffe, both of whom were also his relatives. The trio left Ashway Gap, Platt's hunting Lodge, at around 11:00 on 29 August 1857 but, at around 13:15 when in a

gully A gully is a landform created by running water, mass movement, or commonly a combination of both eroding sharply into soil or other relatively erodible material, typically on a hillside or in river floodplains or terraces. Gullies resemble lar ...

, Josiah Radcliffe, who had presided over Platt's election, stumbled causing his gun to fire, the bullet hitting Platt in the calf of his right leg. Although Platt was immediately bandaged, he suffered extensive blood loss and, after being moved to his home in Ashway Gap, he died between 14:00 and 15:00. His death caused "the deepest grief" and a "gloom" over the local population. Ashway Cross - geograph

After his death, and although he had only made three contributions to Parliament, Platt was celebrated in the media—including the

Manchester Examiner The ''Manchester Examiner'' was a newspaper based in Manchester, England, that was founded around 1845–1846. Initially intended as an organ to promote the idea of Manchester Liberalism, a decline in its later years led to a takeover by a group w ...

and

The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper ''The Sunday Times'' (fou ...

—as a "rising man" who would have been likely to "distinguish himself greatly". Platt was laid to rest in a tomb at Chadderton Cemetery in Oldham on 2 September 1857. His brother, John Platt, followed his footsteps into the seat, elected as a

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

for the same seat at the 1865 general election.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Platt, James Accidental deaths in England Deaths by firearm in England UK MPs 1857–1859 1823 births 1857 deaths Firearm accident victims Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for constituencies in Lancashire