Kit-Cat Club was a political and literary club in London in the early 1700’s. The club was established by leading members of the Whig political party. Many important literary figures were members of the club, including Joseph Addison, William Congreve, Sir Richard Steele, and Sir John Vanbrugh.
The club was named in honor of Christopher Cat, in whose shop the club originally met. Cat’s name has also been spelled Kat, Katt, Catt, and Catling. The shop served mutton pies that were called kit-cats. Each member of the club donated his portrait, which was less than full-length because the ceiling of the club’s dining room was so low. Many of these portraits were painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Such shortened portraits are still called kit-cats.
