Charles was born at home in the countryside near Clayton, NC. Growing up in the South, working on his father’s farm, and exploring 300 acres of forestland, proved to be formative life experiences.

Retiring from a corporate career at age 50, he refocused on filmmaking, writing, and photography.

He was awarded two Boston/New England Emmys® (writing and production) for the American Public Television documentary, Mystic Voices: The Story of the Pequot War. He also was nominated for cinematography.

After 40 years in Connecticut, Charles returned to his roots in North Carolina in 2015.

In July 2023, he published his novel of historical fiction, Aila’s Journal: A Tale of Southern Reconstruction.