“ To err is human, to purr is feline. “
Quotes by Robert Byrne
Introducing Robert Byrne
Robert Leo Byrne (1930–2016) was a multifaceted American author, billiards expert, and humorist whose eclectic career left a lasting mark on literature and cue sports. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Byrne graduated with a civil engineering degree from the University of Colorado in 1954, initially working as an engineer and reporter before transitioning to full-time writing in 1977. He penned seven novels, including Thrill, which became an NBC movie, and gained fame for his authoritative billiards guides, such as Byrne’s Standard Book of Pool and Billiards, which sold over half a million copies thanks to its precise, engineer-crafted diagrams. A skilled player, he won national billiards titles and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame in 2001. Byrne also delighted readers with five collections of humorous quotations, like The 2,548 Best Things Anybody Ever Said, blending wit with his varied expertise. His legacy reflects a rare fusion of technical precision, literary flair, and a passion for pool, all rooted in his Midwestern upbringing and lifelong connection to Dubuque.