Charles Manly was born in Chatham County, North Carolina, on May 13, 1795. The son of Revolutionary War veteran Basil Manly, Charles Manly attended Chatham Academy before attending the University of North Carolina. After graduating, he started a legal practice in Raleigh and later served as governor of North Carolina (1849-1851) and as secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees at the University of North Carolina (1821-1849 & 1851-1868). Manly died in Raleigh on May 1, 1871.