What literary person coined the phrase red tape?

The phrase "red tape" is not attributed to any specific literary person. It's believed to have originated from the 18th century when government officials in England would tie official documents with red ribbon or tape. This practice was seen as cumbersome and bureaucratic, hence the phrase became associated with excessive formality and delays in official processes.

While no one person is credited with coining the phrase, its use in literature became popular in the 19th century, with writers like Charles Dickens incorporating it into their works to criticize government inefficiency.