Wilberforce (cat)

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Wilberforce was a cat who lived at 10 Downing Street between 1973 and 1987 and served under four British Prime Ministers: Edward Heath, Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. His chief function was to catch mice, in which role he was the successor to Petra.

According to Bernard Ingham, the former press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, Wilberforce was a normal cat for whom Thatcher once bought "a tin of sardines in a Moscow supermarket". On the BBC coverage of the 1983 general election, presenter Esther Rantzen was allowed to hold Wilberforce and introduce him to viewers.

Wilberforce the cat also inspired Wilberforce the band to name themselves after him.

He retired on 3 April 1987, and was succeeded by Humphrey who was born in 1988, the year Wilberforce died.

Preceded by Petra

10 Downing Street mouser 1973–1987

Succeeded by Humphrey