The world’s most famous felines
Socks, Humphrey, Henry’s Cat, Red Dwarf and the Cheshire cat
Whether owned by Bill Clinton or John Major, featured in cartoons and sci-fi TV or encountered in Alice In Wonderland, some moggies become celebrities.
We all love cats, whether in cartoons, literature, television or real life. Here are some of the most iconic:
Socks, The White House Cat
When Bill and Hilary Clinton moved into the White House back in 1992, they somehow managed to be upstaged by another member of the presidential family. That was Socks, the cat that the Clintons had adopted the previous year. Charming the world, the First Moggy managed to infiltrate press conferences and briefings, and the world took him to heart. He later had a comic strip made about him, and even featured in official stamps from The Central African Republic.
Humphrey, The Downing Street Cat
Serving under three British Prime Ministers – Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair – Humphrey was employed by the British Government’s cabinet office to catch mice and rats in Downing Street. However, under Major’s stewardship, he managed to develop an iconic status, and there were many new stories in the British press about his antics. In 1994 there was a huge fuss when Humphrey was accused of killing four baby robins nesting in a window box. Major famously had to make a statement to the media saying that his cat had been falsely accused of the crime.
Henry’s Cat
Henry’s Cat was a popular 1980s British cartoon series about a laid-back yellow cat who got into all manner of scrapes with his animated animal friends. The series somehow managed to transcend the child audience it was aimed at, and became a cult hit amongst adults – particularly students. It’s difficult to work out what breed the star of the show was due to the rather basic animation. However, he doesn’t have a tail, so he could easily be a Manx.
The Cat from Red Dwarf
In the popular sci-fi comedy series, The Cat is a humanoid descendent of lead character Dave Lister’s pet, and he is thought to be the last remaining member of his species. In the show, the character – played by Danny John-Jules – is the epitome of laid back cool. He does display some feline instincts though, such as sniffing at everything.
The Cheshire Cat
The Cheshire Cat was a key character in Lewis Carroll’s ever popular children’s book, Alice In Wonderland. During Alice’s adventures, the cat is a recurring character, popping up seemingly randomly to engage Alice in sometimes nonsensical conversation. It is also famous for its grin, and the phrase “grinning like a Cheshire Cat” has slipped into everyday parlance.
