17 of the Most Remarkable Felines in History

Every cat owner might proudly declare their pet the epitome of coolness, but history has its own share of standout felines. From Able Seacat Simon to Abraham Lincoln’s beloved cats and the cat that sparked Nikola Tesla’s curiosity, these remarkable creatures have carved their names into history. Discover their stories and more about other legendary cats from the past.

1. The Indestructible Sam

While cats may not truly possess nine lives, Unsinkable Sam certainly defied the odds. This black-and-white cat was reportedly aboard the German battleship Bismarck when it was sunk by Allied forces in May 1941. Miraculously, Sam survived and later ended up on the HMS Cossack, a British ship. When that vessel was torpedoed by a German U-Boat, Sam once again escaped unscathed. In an astonishing twist, Sam found himself on the HMS Ark Royal, an aircraft carrier, which was also torpedoed in November 1941. Rescued during the chaos, Sam was described as “angry but unharmed.” After surviving three shipwrecks in just five months, he retired from military life and spent his remaining years in peaceful retirement on land. 

2. Able Seacat Simon

While some historians question whether Unsinkable Sam was truly one cat or a collection of felines merged into a single tale, there’s no such ambiguity surrounding Able Seacat Simon. This black-and-white cat served aboard the HMS Amethyst in 1948 during its time in Hong Kong. In 1949, while the ship was heading to protect the British embassy amid the Chinese Communist Revolution, it came under attack by the People’s Liberation Army and ran aground. Simon was wounded during the incident but continued to play a vital role throughout the 101-day siege. He effectively controlled the ship’s rat population, safeguarding the crew’s limited food supplies. Upon their return to England, Simon was honored with the Dickin Medal for animal bravery, making him the only cat ever to receive this prestigious award.

3. and 4. Dixie and Tabby

Not all cats serving their country did so in a military capacity. While cats have likely roamed the White House since the earliest presidential families, it wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln’s presidency that the historic residence had its first official feline residents. Lincoln received two kittens as a gift from Secretary of State William Seward, whom he named Tabby and Dixie. The president adored the pair, treating them with great affection. Tabby was even allowed to dine at the table during a formal dinner, and Lincoln once quipped that Dixie was “smarter than my whole cabinet.”

5. Félicette

Félicette achieved what no feline had ever done before: she ventured into space. Selected for France’s Centre d’Enseignement et de Recherches de Médecine Aéronautique (CERMA) training program, Félicette, also known as subject C 341, underwent intense preparation (which would be fascinating to witness) and emerged as the top candidate. In October 1963, she was launched into space aboard a rocket, reaching an altitude of approximately 100 miles. After a 15-minute flight, she safely returned to Earth. Tragically, Félicette was euthanized months later so researchers could examine the effects of space travel on her brain. In 2020, a memorial was established to honor her legacy.

6. Chester, a.k.a. F.D.C. Willard

Chester’s scientific legacy is far less somber. He became the co-author of a highly influential physics paper, despite contributing no actual work. Michigan State University physicist Jack Hetherington wrote a paper on atomic behavior, which was published in Physical Review Letters in 1975. Before submission, a colleague warned Hetherington that the paper would be rejected because he used we instead of I, despite being the sole author. Rather than revise the paper, Hetherington added a second author: F.D.C. Willard, who was actually Chester. F.D.C. stood for Felix Domesticus, Chester, and Willard was the name of Chester’s father. The ruse was soon discovered, but it was met with amusement. “Everyone laughed and soon the cat was out of the bag,” Hetherington said. Chester later became the sole author of a paper on solid helium, published in a French science magazine in 1980 under the same pseudonym. He was even invited to join Michigan State University’s physics department as a visiting distinguished professor.

7. Mačak

Mačak, another feline of scientific significance, was the beloved childhood pet of Nikola Tesla. Tesla adored Mačak, referring to him as “the finest of all cats in the world.” Beyond companionship, Mačak played a pivotal role in sparking Tesla’s fascination with electricity. In a letter, Tesla recounted, “As I stroked Mačak’s back one evening, I witnessed a miraculous sight. His back glowed with light, and my hand produced a cascade of sparks audible throughout the house.” Tesla’s father explained the phenomenon as electricity, but the experience left Tesla pondering profound questions: “Is nature a gigantic cat? If so, who strokes its back?” These musings fueled Tesla’s lifelong curiosity, ultimately shaping his revolutionary contributions to electrical science. 

8. Peter

Famous felines didn’t just make their mark in science; some also left a lasting legacy in the arts. In the 19th century, artist Louis Wain adopted a kitten named Peter after his wife, Emily, fell ill with breast cancer. Peter became the muse for Wain’s sketches, sparking his passion for drawing cats. Over time, Wain’s feline illustrations became increasingly anthropomorphic, depicting cats engaging in human-like activities such as playing games and drinking. These whimsical creations became immensely popular in Victorian England, captivating audiences with their charm and creativity.

9. Pangur Bán

For centuries, cats have been a source of inspiration for writers. A 9th-century Irish monk composed a poem dedicated to his cherished pet, a white cat named Pangur Bán. Originally written in Old Irish, the poem has been translated numerous times. Through the monk’s words, we learn that Pangur Bán was both playful and an adept hunter.

10. Calvin

Calvin, a Maltese cat, wandered into the home of author Harriet Beecher Stowe and decided to stay. When Stowe relocated to Florida for the winter, she entrusted Calvin to her friend Charles Dudley Warner. The cat left a profound impression on Warner, who, after Calvin’s passing, wrote a heartfelt obituary included in later editions of his book My Summer in a Garden. The tribute began, “CALVIN is dead. His life, long to him but brief to us, was devoid of dramatic adventures, yet his extraordinary character and exemplary qualities inspired those who knew him to request a record of his life.” Warner praised Calvin, stating he “had no bad habits and possessed a flawless disposition.” 

11. Bambino

Mark Twain’s daughter, Clara Clemens, secretly brought a black kitten named Bambino into the sanatorium where she was staying. Bambino became her loyal companion during a lonely period. However, after the cat nearly caused an anti-cat resident to have what Clara called “a cataleptic fit,” she had to part with him and gave him to her father. Bambino was exceptionally clever—Twain’s servant claimed the author had trained the cat to wash his face and even turn off a lamp on command. 

12. Pepper

Pepper rose from humble beginnings to become a star of the silver screen. Born beneath the sound stage at Keystone Studios in 1912, the Maltese cat was discovered by actor Mack Sennett, who cast her in the 1913 film A Little Hero. Pepper became the first feline movie star and went on to appear in several other films.

13. All Ball

In 1984, Koko the gorilla received a special gift: a kitten. She selected a gray and white female cat, naming her All Ball, using the modified American sign language she had learned to communicate. Koko adored All Ball, spending hours playing with her daily. “The cat responded to Koko as she would to a human, but she was independent and would bite or escape when she’d had enough,” biologist Ron Cohn, who worked with Koko, once remarked. Koko was heartbroken when All Ball died after being hit by a car. Upon hearing the news, Koko whimpered in sorrow. Days later, she signed the words “Sleep. Cat.”

14. Oscar

Oscar was a cat who was both fascinating and eerie. He served as one of the therapy cats at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Though not particularly affectionate, Oscar had an uncanny ability to predict death. He would curl up beside residents just hours before they passed away. Staff members monitored Oscar’s movements closely; if he stayed with a patient, they would notify the family to prepare them. The mystery of how Oscar sensed impending death remains unsolved. Oscar himself passed away in February 2022 at the age of 17.

15. Creme Puff

Creme Puff lived an exceptionally long life, reaching the remarkable age of 38 years—nearly two decades beyond the average lifespan of a cat. She spent her years in Austin, Texas, before passing away in 2005. Creme Puff holds the record as the oldest cat ever documented.

16. Lil BUB

Lil BUB became one of the most iconic cats of the 2010s, leaving a profound impact despite her short life. Known for her uniquely charming appearance due to feline dwarfism and osteopetrosis, BUB captivated hearts worldwide. Though her mobility was restricted, she actively met fans and championed awareness for special needs animals. Together with her owner, she raised funds to support pets with similar challenges. Although Lil BUB passed away in 2019, her legacy lives on through the organization Lil BUB’s Big Fund, which continues to advocate for special needs animals.

17. Tombili

We conclude with a cat who embodied the essence of cool. Tombili, one of Istanbul’s cherished street cats, was adored by locals, as her plump figure suggested. She was often seen lounging in the Ziverbey neighborhood. A photograph of her in her iconic pose—leaning casually to one side, completely at ease—propelled her to internet stardom. After her passing in 2016, a statue was erected in her honor in Istanbul. The memorial was later stolen but was swiftly returned following widespread public demand.