Henry Major Tomlinson (21 June 1873 – 5 February 1958) was a notable British writer and journalist, recognized for his anti-war stance, travel writing, and vivid narratives of life at sea. Born and raised in London, his early life in Poplar laid the groundwork for a career that spanned various forms of literature.

Tomlinson’s career began in a shipping office, but he soon transitioned into journalism, becoming a reporter for the Morning Leader newspaper. His assignments included an adventurous journey up the Amazon River. During World War I, he served as an official correspondent for the British Army in France, documenting the harsh realities of war. In 1917, Tomlinson joined H. W. Massingham at The Nation, a publication known for its anti-war position. He left in 1923 following Massingham’s resignation due to a change in the paper’s ownership and political stance. Among his notable works was the 1931 biography of Norman Douglas, a controversial yet celebrated writer of the time.

Tomlinson’s personal life was marked by his marriage on 26 December 1899 to Florence Margaret Hammond, the daughter of Thomas Hammond, a sailmaker from Poplar. The couple had a son and two daughters. Throughout his life, Tomlinson remained closely connected to London, the city of his birth and death, which frequently featured in his writings.