Erection date: 15/7/2021
{On the back of the bench:}
He is my companion, my best friend, my teacher and my soulmate. And he will remain all of those things. Always
{A small white plaque attached to the back of the seat-back:}
For more information about Street Cat Bob & Author James Bowen (QR code linking to: Streetcatbob.com)
Tribute sculpture by artist Tanya Russell
The spines of the 8 books in the piles on which Bob is sitting are inscribed with titles, all by James Bowen:}
A Street Cat Named Bob
The World According to Bob
etc.
{The book at the front is open at:}
Chapter 16, Angel Hearts
{Below the outline of a pawprint the text describes the author and Bob moving to The Angel and how they would visit this garden.}
{The outside of the arm of the seat, to the right of our photo, is marked, in bold black digits, with the number:}
683
Site: Street Cat Bob (1 memorial)
N1, Islington Green
In 2007, as a homeless person living in supported housing, James Bowen was befriended by ginger cat Bob, who needed Bowen's help. Bowen was spotted outside Angel station busking and selling the Big Issue with Bob on his shoulder. He was featured by the local paper, the Islington Tribune, and this led to a book deal. Bowen had started writing the stories about Bob in the Waterstones bookshop which can be seen in our photo, behind the bench.
Time Out wrote: "Bowen met Bob in 2007 when he spent his last £30 paying for the stray to see a vet. He credits the ginger tom cat with rescuing him from living rough and weaning him off heroin."
The Big Issue wrote: "The series of books published by Hodder and Stoughton, which began with A Street Cat Named Bob in 2012, have sold more than eight million copies in more than 40 languages and been adapted into two films starring Luke Treadaway as James opposite Bob (as himself)."
