Li Rui was born in Ping Ding County, Shanxi Province. He participated in the revolutionary work in June, 1938 and joined in the Communist Party of China in October. He served as clerical staff of the Ministry of Guerrilla Detachment in Xi Yang County of Shanxi Province, instructor of the Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Kowloon Detachment First Company in Eastern Shanxi, political instructor of the communication team, radio station and Guard Company that directly subordinate to 129 Division, and the political instructor of the Political Branch of 129 Division and the Tai Hang Military Region.
After the founding of the New China, he held a series of significant posts as the staff of the Headquarter of Garrison in Changchun, Chief of the Publicity Bureau of the Military Region in Jilin Province, County Magistrate of Sui Yang County, County Head and County Clerk of Mu Ling County, Deputy-director of Song Jiang Provincial Party Committee Office, Vice Secretary and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, Standing Member, Director of Organization, Secretary of Discipline Inspection Commission of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee, Alternate Secretary of the Provincial Committee and Director of Organization (concurrent), Secretary of the Provincial Supervisory Committee, Director of Culture and Education Office in Heilongjiang, Party Committee Secretary and President of Harbin Institute of Technology, and Vice-governor of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province, etc.
He served as the Party Secretary of Tianjin University from 1983 to 1984.