Ernest Dunlop Swinton

MajorGeneral Sir Ernest Dunlop Swinton, KBE, CB, DSO was a British Army officer who was active in the development and adoption of the tank during the First World War. He was also a war correspondent and author of several allegorical works of fiction on military themes, including a lastingly influential book on tactics and good practice. He is credited with having coined the word tank as a codename for the first tracked, armoured fighting vehicles.

Swinton was born in Bangalore, India, in 1868. His father worked for the Madras Civil Service. Swinton was educated at University College School, Rugby School, Cheltenham College, Blackheath Proprietary School, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He became an officer in the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1888, serving in India and becoming Lieutenant in 1891.

Source: Wikipedia