Rob Henderson (author)

Rob Henderson (born December 18, 1990) is an American writer and political commentator known for popularizing the idea of luxury beliefs.

His memoir, Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class, was published in 2024 by Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books.

Henderson was raised in various foster homes around the state of California.

He served in the United States Air Force after high school.

Following his enlistment, Henderson attended Yale University with the support of the G.I. Bill, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Henderson then earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology from the University of Cambridge with the support of a Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Henderson has published a variety of essays about his education and political views in major outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Times.

In his editorials, he develops the idea of "luxury beliefs", defined as ideas that "confer status on members of the upper class at little cost while inflicting costs on persons in lower classes."

This term has gained considerable popularity, including coverage in The Atlantic and The Economist, as well as features on podcasts including Honestly with Bari Weiss and The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast.

In his memoir, Henderson details his experience of being abandoned by his mother and growing up in the foster care system.

He explains the emotional challenges he has faced due to the absence of a stable family.

The latter section of the book details his educational journey and the experiences which inspired his development of the term "luxury beliefs".