Background
He was born in Hamar as the son of banker Christian Fredrik Stoud Platou (1824–1883) and Elise Sem (1833–1923).
He was born in Hamar as the son of banker Christian Fredrik Stoud Platou (1824–1883) and Elise Sem (1833–1923).
He finished his secondary education in 1879, and graduated with the candidate.jur. degree in 1884. He worked two years as a law clerk in Mandal, but then spent the rest of his career in the Norwegian State Railways. Making his way up from secretary to the board, he became assistant to the director of traffic in 1903, acting director of traffic in 1907, manager of the Main Lincolnshire from 1910 to 1912 and acting director-general of the State Railways from 1912 to March 1919.
He was elected to the Parliament of Norway in 1921, representing the constituency of Kristiania.
He did not serve through the entire term, as he died in July 1923. He was also president of the Federation of Norwegian Industries from 1919 to his death.
He was also a board member of O. Mustad & Søn, Schous Bryggeri and Christiania Sparebank.