Lighthouse engineer. Son of another lighthouse engineer David Stevenson (1815 - 1886), younger brother of David A. (1854 - 1938) and a member of the great Lighthouse Stevenson dynasty. Charles Stevenson was born in Edinburgh and educated at Edinburgh Academy and the University in the city. He was noted for his inventiveness, improving the efficiency of optics and fog-horns, together with an interest in the use of radio for communication.
Charles Stevenson worked with his brother David A. Stevenson (1854 - 1938) on more than ninety lighthouses including: Skaddan and Skroo (Fair Isle) (1892), Helliar Holm (1893), Sule Skerry (1895), Rattray Head (1895), Stroma (1896), Tod Head (1897), Noup Head (1898), Flannan Isles (1899), Tiumpan Head (1900), Killantringan (1900), Barns Ness (1901), Hoxa Head (1901), Bass Rock (1903), Hyskeir (1904), Holy Island (1905), Eigg (1906), Swona (1906), Trodday (1908), Neist Point (1909), Rubh Re (1912), Milaid Point (1912), Maughold Head (1914), Copinsay (1915), Clyth Ness (1916), Duncansby Head (1924), Ardtornish (1927), Esha Ness (1929) and Tor Ness (1937).
He died at his home on Douglas Crescent in Edinburgh and was buried in Dean Cemetery. His son, D. Alan Stevenson (1891 - 1971) was the last of the family to enter the profession of lighthouse-building.