A 17th-century Swiss physician and author who wrote about his travels and experiences, providing valuable insights into the culture and society of his time. He's particularly notable for being one of the first to describe the London theater scene, including a performance of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar".
Thomas Platter the Younger, a Swiss-born physician, traveller, and diarist, is renowned for his meticulous and vivid accounts of late 16th-century European culture, which have provided invaluable insights to historians and scholars. His manuscript journal, written between 1595 and 1600, offers a unique glimpse into the medical education, street life, theatre, and social practices of his time.
Born on July 24, 1574, in Basel, Switzerland, Thomas Platter the Younger was the son of the humanist Thomas Platter the Elder. He pursued his medical studies in Montpellier, where he developed a keen eye for observation and a passion for recording his experiences. His travels took him to France, Spain, Flanders, and England, where he encountered diverse cultures, people, and practices.
Platter's diary, written in German, is an extraordinary document that has fascinated scholars for centuries. It contains detailed descriptions of his medical education, including dissections and anatomical studies. He also recorded his observations of street life in Barcelona, noting the vibrant atmosphere of the city's markets and festivals.
One of the most significant sections of the diary is his account of a 1599 trip to London, where he accompanied his older half-brother, Felix Platter. This journey took him to the Globe Theatre, where he witnessed an early production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Platter's account has proven invaluable to Shakespeare scholars, providing evidence for the dating of the play.
Platter's travels in England offered him a unique perspective on Elizabethan society. He noted the grandeur of the royal court, the opulence of the nobility, and the vibrant cultural scene of London. His diary also touches on the practicalities of the slave trade, providing a poignant reminder of the era's darker aspects.
The diary has been published in several editions, including Felix et Thomas Platter, Montpellier, 1552-1559, 1595-1599 (1892) and Thomas Platter's Travels in England, 1599 (1937). In 1995, Peter Razzell edited The Journals of Two Travellers in Elizabethan and early Stuart England: Thomas Platter and Horatio Busino, further cementing Platter's place in the historical record.
Thomas Platter the Younger's meticulous diary has left an indelible mark on our understanding of late 16th-century Europe. His observations, written with a curious and engaged mind, have provided historians with a unique window into the culture, society, and medical practices of his time. As a result, Platter's diary has become an essential resource for scholars and a testament to the power of careful observation and recording.
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