Edmond Hoyle (1672-1769) was an authority on card games and is often referred to as the "Father of Whist." Although he did not invent the game, with the publication of his systematized book of rules and procedures, the game became widely popular, especially among the English aristocracy. He also published rules on backgammon, brag, quadrille, piquet, and chess.

Almost nothing is known of Hoyle's life before 1741. It has been speculated that he was from Yorkshire and later owned land in Dublin, but scholars agree that the historical records are most likely referring to another Edmond Hoyle. It is commonly believed that he was a lawyer. In 1741 he was residing in Queen Square, London, where he earned at least part of his income by giving lessons on the card game whist. In need of a standard book of rules to assist his students, he wrote A Short Treatise on...