Who is the inventor of billiards?

The Story In A Billiard Table The origin of billiards is lost in antiquity. Who invented the game and the early processes of its evolution remain mysteries. The first known reference to the game with any traditional or historical accuracy occurs in Abbe McGeoghegan's "History of Ireland." Cathire More, a sub-king who ruled over Leinster, died A. D. 148. The Abbe, quoting from King Cathire's will, says, "To Drimoth I bequeath fifty billiard balls of brass with the cues of the same material." As early as the fifteenth century we have much evidence of the universality of the game all over southern Europe. It was certainly known in France in the time of Louis IX, who died nine years before Columbus discovered America. Shakespeare, in Anthony and Cleopatra (Act II, Scene 5), makes the latter say, "Let us to billiards." Cotton's "Compleat Gamster" published in 1674, refers to billiards as "This most gentle, cleanly and ingenious game." He states that it was first played in France, but ...  more