Charles C. Black was born in 1858 in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey. He graduated from Princeton University in 1878 and later earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1881, subsequently joining the New Jersey bar. Black's career in public service began with his appointment to the New Jersey State Tax Board in 1891, followed by service on Equal Tax Commissions in 1896 and 1904. He was nominated for Governor of New Jersey in 1904 but lost the election. In 1908, he was appointed as a Circuit Court Judge, and in 1914, he was nominated to the New Jersey Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in 1939. Post-retirement, Black resumed his law practice in Jersey City until his death in 1947.

Charles C. Black's political philosophy centers on the principle of equal taxation, a stance he passionately advocated during his 1904 gubernatorial campaign. His ideological positioning is marked by an unusual alignment with regional industrial interests, as evidenced by his legislative record. Black's rhetorical style is notably calculated, often blending progressive ideals with pragmatic considerations to achieve specific policy outcomes. His approach reveals an unexpected convergence with opposing factions, suggesting a highly localized and strategic political methodology.