Plato was a great philosopher and one of the first true intellectuals of his time. In his life he educated Aristotle, founded the Academy, Europes first university, and did numerous experiments and established some of the first thoughts on many subjects. Plato was truly one of Greeces gifts to the world. Plato was born into a very prominent family in Greece. He had bloodlines that went back to the Kings of Athens through his father, Ariston.
His mother, Perictione was related to the lawmaker Solon. Its not sure when Plato was born, but we can guess about 420 BC. At an early age, he was interested in politics and became a student of Socrates. In 399 BC, Socrates was killed in Athens. Fearing his own life, Plato traveled to Italy, Egypt, and Sicily. Coming back to Athens in 387, he established his Academy. He taught there politics, philosophy, biology, and anatomy.
Among his students was Aristotle, who would grow to be a philosopher, too. In 367, Plato tried to combine his philosophical teachings and politics in Sicily to teach the emperor of Syracuse. His experiment failed then and again in 361. He spent the rest of his years teaching at Academy and studying until he died in 348 BC. His works, however, live on. His works in anatomy and politics especially are famous to this day. His views of classes and the perfect state can still teach us a lot to this day.