Kit-Cat Club facts for kids

The Kit-Cat Club was a famous English club in London during the early 1700s. It was a place where important politicians and writers met. Members of the club were strong supporters of the Whig party, which was a major political group at the time. They believed in a strong Parliament and a king or queen with limited power.

The club first met at a tavern in Shire Lane, run by an innkeeper named Christopher Catt. He was known for his delicious mutton pies, which were called "Kit-Cats." This is how the club got its unique name! Later, the club moved to other locations, including the Fountain Tavern on The Strand and a special room built at Barn Elms, the home of their secretary, Jacob Tonson. In the summer, they would meet at the Upper Flask on Hampstead Heath.

How the Kit-Cat Club Got Its Name

The Trumpet tavern in Shire Lane, where the Kit-Cat Club first met in 1778.

The exact story of the "Kit-Cat Club" name isn't fully clear, but most people agree it came from Christopher Catt. He was the owner of the pie-house where the club first gathered. His famous "Kit-Kats" (mutton pies) were a regular dish at their meetings. So, the club was likely named after these popular pies and their creator.

Some people also thought the name might come from a tradition of "toasting" (drinking to the health of) beautiful women of the day. They would engrave poems praising these ladies on their drinking glasses. One funny poem by Dr. Arbuthnot even joked about the name, saying it could be from the pastry cook or a "Cat and Fiddle" (a common pub name).

Whence deathless Kit-Kat took his name
Few critics can unriddle
Some say from pastrycook it came
And some from Cat and Fiddle.
From no trim beaus its name it boasts
Grey statesmen or green wits
But from the pell-mell pack of toasts
Of old Cats and young Kits.

What the Club Stood For

The Kit-Cat Club was more than just a social gathering; it was important for politics. Its members were strong supporters of the Whig party. They wanted a powerful Parliament, a king or queen who didn't have absolute power, and they were against France. They also strongly supported the Protestant line of succession to the throne, meaning that only a Protestant could become the ruler of Britain.

Some historians believe the club's political importance began even before the Glorious Revolution of 1688, a time when the British throne changed hands. They met secretly to discuss their ideas during those "dangerous times." Horace Walpole, whose father was a Kit-Cat member, said the club members were "patriots that saved Britain." This shows how important they were in shaping the country's future.

Famous Members of the Kit-Cat Club

Sir John Vanbrugh, a famous writer and architect, was a member of the Kit-Cat Club.

The Kit-Cat Club had many well-known members, including famous writers, artists, and politicians.

Some of the notable writers were:

• Joseph Addison
• William Congreve
• John Locke
• Richard Steele
• Sir John Vanbrugh

Important politicians who were members included:

• The Earl of Burlington
• Viscount Cobham
• The Duke of Devonshire
• The Duke of Dorset
• The Duke of Grafton
• The Duke of Kingston
• The Duke of Manchester
• The Duke of Newcastle
• The Duke of Richmond
• The Duke of Somerset
• The Earl of Stanhope
• Lord Sunderland
• Sir Robert Walpole
• Lord Wharton

The famous artist Sir Godfrey Kneller was also a member. He painted 48 portraits of the club members. These paintings are all the same size, known as "kit-cat format" (36 by 28 inches). These portraits are a very important record of the club's members and can be seen today at Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire.

Toasting Ladies

A special tradition of the Kit-Cat Club was toasting the "reigning beauties" of the day. This meant they would raise their glasses and drink to the health of popular and admired ladies. They would even engrave verses (short poems) praising these women on their drinking glasses.

Some of the ladies who were toasted included:

• Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
• Lady Godolphin
• Lady Sunderland
• Lady Bridgewater
• Lady Monthermer
• The Duchess of Bolton
• The Duchess of Beaufort
• The Duchess of St Albans
• Anne Long
• Catherine Barton, who was Newton's niece

More Members of the Kit-Cat Club

See also

• The Scriblerian and the Kit-Cats