Charles Northend was born on April 2, 1814 in at Newbury (now Newburyport), Massachussets, United States. He was the descendant of Ezekiel Northend, who emigrated from Yorkshire, England, and settled in Newbury before 1691, and the son of John and Anna (Titcomb) Northend. His father, a studious, well-read man played an active part in the affairs of the town, serving as selectman and representative to the Massachusetts General Court.
As a student in the public schools at Newbury and, later, at Dummer Academy at South Byfield during the period of his preparation for college, Charles Northend achieved a reputation for scholastic accomplishment. He entered Amherst College in 1831 but was obliged, for financial reasons, to withdraw at the close of his sophomore year.
Upon leaving college he was engaged as an instructor in Dummer Academy and remained there several terms.
In 1836 he accepted an appointment as principal of the First Grammar School in Danvers, Massachussets. Five years later he removed to Salem to take charge of the Epes Grammar School, in which position he served until 1852, when he returned to Danvers as superintendent of public schools. During this period he worked untiringly to improve conditions in the common schools. He organized teachers' associations and conducted institutes for the discussion of teaching problems. To his efforts were due many reforms in various phases of educational practice.
His success at Danvers attracted considerable attention throughout New England. When the town was divided, in 1855, and his opportunities there were consequently curtailed, he was invited to New Britain, Connecticut, as school visitor, a position corresponding to that of assistant superintendent of public schools. He accepted this election in 1856 and devoted the remainder of his professional life to the New Britain school system. As in Massachusetts, he gave unsparingly of his time and energy to the cause of the common-school.
From 1856 to 1866 he was an editor of the Connecticut Common School Journal. In 1878 he became an associate editor of the New England Journal of Education (later the Journal of Education). Among other activities, he delivered many addresses on educational topics before county, state, and national associations.
He became a member of the New Britain school board in 1872 and secretary in the following year. In 1879 he was elected superintendent of schools, a position which he held until his retirement in 1880.
The last years of his life were spent in New Britain. Although he had withdrawn from public office, he continued his interest in educational affairs, brought out later editions of his books, and contributed articles to professional journals. He was a prolific writer of schoolbooks, some of which went through many editions.
On August 18, 1834 Northend married his cousin Lucy Ann Moody, the daughter of William and Abigail (Titcomb) Moody, of Newbury. They had three sons.
