Henri Rol Tanguy was born on 12 June 1908 in Morlaix, Finistère, France. He was married to Cécile Rol Tanguy. He died on 8 September 2002 in Paris, France.
Unionist, he became during WWII leader of the communist resistance in Paris (FTP) and thus helped in its libération. He was because of that named by De Gaulle compagnon of the Ordre de la Libération. He was member of the central committee of the French Communist party (PCF) (1962-1987),.