Rolf Henrich (born Magdeburg 24 February 1944) is a writer and lawyer. In September 1989 he became a co-founder and leading member of the New Forum movement. His book "The Custodial State. On the Failure of Real-life Socialism" ("Der vormundschaftliche Staat. Vom Versagen des real existierenden Sozialismus") had appeared in April 1989 and was a powerful stimulus along the route to the Citizens' Movement that within a couple of years had led to the end of the German Democratic Republic as a standalone state.