John Thompson Platts (1830–1904), was a British language scholar. HisPersian andUrdu grammars were a marked advance upon the work of any English predecessor, and are still in use today.
Platts was born inCalcutta,India, on 1 August 1830, the second son of Robert Platts ofCalcutta, who died young leaving behind a large family and a widow in difficult circumstances. After being educated atBedford School in England, Platts returned toIndia and, between 1858 and 1859, worked asmathematics master at Benares College and in charge of Saugor School in theCentral Provinces. In 1861 he was appointed mathematical professor and headmaster of Benares College. In 1864, Platts became assistant inspector of schools, second circle,Northwest Provinces and, in 1868, he became officiating inspector of schools, northern circle, Central Provinces. He retired in March 1872, owing to ill-health.
Platts then returned toEngland, and settling inEaling, occupying himself by teachingUrdu,Hindi andPersian, having mastered the languages. In June 1880, he was elected teacher ofPersian language atOxford University. He matriculated fromBalliol College, Oxford in February 1881 and, in June 1881, became Master of Artshonoris causa. In March 1901, he received the degree of Master of Arts by decree. He died suddenly inLondon on 21 September 1904, and was buried atWolvercote Cemetery nearOxford.
Platts married twice: first, in 1856, inLahore,Pakistan, to Alice Jane Kenyon, by whom he had three sons and four daughters; and second, in 1876, to Mary Elizabeth Hayes ofMelbourne,Australia. They had one son.
