Mike (cat) facts for kids
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| Species | Felis catus |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c.1908 Great Britain |
| Died | January 1929 (aged 20) London, England |
| Known for | Guardian of the British Museum |
Mike (born around 1908 – died January 1929) was a famous cat who guarded the main gates of the British Museum in London. He was so well-known that even Time magazine wrote about him when he passed away!
Mike's Early Life at the Museum
In the spring of 1908, a museum cat named "Black Jack" brought a special gift to E. A. Wallis Budge, who was in charge of Egyptian artifacts. Black Jack carried a tiny kitten in his mouth and placed it at Mr. Budge's feet. This kitten later became known as Mike.
The next year, Mike began to learn from Black Jack. Black Jack taught Mike how to hunt pigeons. He showed Mike how to "point" like a dog, which means he would stand very still and point his nose towards the pigeons.
After cornering the pigeons, Mike would gently daze them. Then, he would bring them to the housekeeper. The housekeeper would give Mike a treat, like food and milk, and then let the pigeons go unharmed.
Mike's Life as a Museum Guardian
Mike lived at the British Museum for 20 years. During this time, he became quite famous for his unique personality. He was known for not being very friendly towards women and for disliking dogs.
Mike would only let certain people feed him. These were the people who treated him "as a man and brother." People's interest in Mike grew, and he was even called "probably the most famed British feline of the 20th Century."
In 1924, Mike officially retired from his duties. He became a "pensioner," meaning he was still cared for but didn't have to work as much. Even in retirement, he kept a close eye on everything happening at the Museum. He especially enjoyed chasing away any dogs that wandered in. Reports say the dogs "fled in terror" when Mike attacked!
In 1927, Mike was featured in an article in The Star newspaper. The article described how Mike saw all kinds of people visiting the museum. He watched famous scholars, curious visitors, high school girls, London kids playing, monks, ladies in colorful saris, and tourists. To Mike, they were all the same.
Mike's Legacy
When Mike passed away in January 1929, E. A. Wallis Budge wrote an obituary for him in the Evening Standard newspaper. This obituary later became a book titled "Mike, the cat who assisted in keeping the main gate of the British Museum from February 1909 to January 1929."
The book included a poem written by F. C. W. Hiley. The poem ended with these lines:
- Old Mike! Farewell! We all regret you,
- Although, you would not let us pet you;
- Of cats the wisest, oldest best cat,
- This be your motto — Requiescat!
Mike's tombstone was placed near the Great Russell Street entrance of the museum. The inscription on it reads: "He assisted in keeping the main gate of the British Museum from February 1909 to January 1929."
