When speaking of the power of association in terms of non-living objects like books, for example, a volume of poems owned by a famous person is worth more than that very same book owned by a person with no claim to fame. But when it comes to animals, in this case, felines, some are just as famous in their own right, and were only impressed with their owner’s many achievements if he or she provided a warm place to sleep, food and companionship and some catnip to play with. For the sake of ease, some famous cats and their owners will be divided into categories. Today’s special will include, literary, political and religious.
In the literary category, many famous writers owned and were owned by cats. Charles Dickens had “The Master Cat.” She was known to snuff out the candle on his reading table with her paw when she wanted attention. Edgar Allen Poe actually loved cats, and his beloved Catarina inspired his creation, “The Black Cat.” She was known to snuggle with his wife and keep her warm as she languished with tuberculosis. Harriet Beecher Stowe had a male cat named Calvin, who spent much time on his mistress’s shoulder, purring away as she wrote. Dr Samuel Johnson had a male cat named Hobbes to whom he fed fresh oysters every day of the week.
The very first Siamese cat ever brought to the United States was a gift to President Rutherford Hayes in 1878. Winston Churchill was a great lover of cats and had several, including Nelson, who sat in a chair opposite him both in the Cabinet and the dining room. Calvin Coolidge had his Timmy, a male cat who was said to have permitted the pet canary to sleep between its paws! Theodore Roosevelt loved his Slippers, a grey and white polydactyl who was always nearby.
Religiously speaking, many great leaders owned cats. Cardinal Richelieu of France had many, notably Lucifer, a beloved black Angora. Lets not forget Muessa, the cat so beloved by Mohammed that according to legend, he cut off his robe rather than disturb the animal sleeping on it.
Cats have been loyal (and royal) companions to many famous people. One can only wonder if they bring fame to their owners or if it is the other way around.
Do you know of any famous cats? Please share.
Related Articles:
“Hemingway’s Polydactyl Cats”
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