Henry the Human Fly is the debut solo album by Richard Thompson, his first release following his leaving former group Fairport Convention.

[10][8] Although Thompson's first solo album, two other ex-Fairport Convention members (Sandy Denny and Ashley Hutchings) make appearances.

[6] Linda Peters, who married Thompson shortly after the album was released, sings backup on Henry the Human Fly.

[5][11] The Spin Alternative Record Guide called the songs "tinged with perversity and populated by oddballs," writing that it "reveals Thompson as the one Fairporter most fiercely determined to redefine folk rock at every turn.

"[7] Mojo counted Henry the Human Fly as one of the hundred greatest guitar albums ever produced.