Career
Born in the City of London, he was a hide merchant with business premises in the Bermondsey area of south London, and also was a skin broker in Finsbury. In 1846-1847 he held the office of Sheriff of London and Middlesex and was Lord Mayor of London in 1856-1857. In June 1852 a general election was called and a group of 500 electors in the Clerkenwell area presented a petition to Challis requesting that he stand for election to parliament for the constituency of Finsbury.
He consented to become a candidate, declaring that if elected he would "exercise his own judgement, and, opposing all class legislation, he should make truth the basis of his conduct, and the happiness of the people his object." There were three candidates for the two-seat constituency, and Challis was elected along with his fellow Liberal, Thomas Slingsby Duncombe.
He served a single term, standing down at the next general election in 1857. On Michaelmas Day 1852 Challis was elected by the Corporation of London as Lord Mayor of London.
He took office on 9 November, although the traditional Lord Mayor"s Show was not held as the City was preparing to hold the state funeral of the Duke of Wellington. He died at his country home in Enfield, Middlesex, and was buried at Enfield Chase Cemetery.