Sir Harry Platt

Sir Harry Platt was born on 7 October 1886, at Thornham, near Rochdale, Lancashire. From the age of five he suffered from a tuberculous knee-joint, and consequently never attended school. (The knee was treated by Sir Robert Jones, who would later become Platt's surgical mentor and close friend.) Platt studied medicine at the University of Manchester, graduating in 1909 with degrees from both Manchester and London. He later obtained the degree of MD from London (1912) and Manchester (1921).

After graduating Platt held Resident, and then Registrar, appointments at Manchester Royal Infirmary. He then went on to complete his orthopaedic training at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London, and at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. On his return to England in 1914 Platt was appointed Surgeon to Ancoats Hospital, Manchester. During WWI, serving as a Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, he was Surgeon-in-Charge of a military orthopaedic centre in Manchester.

In 1920 Platt became Surgical Director of the Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, and in 1932 he also obtained the post of Orthopaedic Surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary. From 1939 he was also Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Manchester. Platt held all of these posts until his retirement in 1951.

During WWII he was appointed Consultant Advisor in Orthopaedic Surgery to the Emergency Medical Service. Harry Platt served on the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons 1940-1958, and was Vice President 1949-1950, and President 1954-1957. He was a founder member of the British Orthopaedic Association, 1916, and its President 1934-1935. He was also President of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1931-1932.

Sir Harry Platt received a knighthood in 1948, and a baronetcy in 1958. He died on the 20 December 1986.

From the guide to the Papers of Sir Harry Platt, 1886-1986, 1919-1979, (Liverpool Medical Institution)