Charles Duncan was born on 20th September 1844 in North Queensferry near Edinburgh, He was baptised om 7th April 1845 at St George's church, Edinburgh. He was the youngest of six children, Thomas b.1834, Mary b.1835, William b.1838, Jane b.1836, and John b.1839. He was the son of Thomas Duncan, a celebrated and successful historical painter and artist. Charles began his working life as a banker but like his father before him, he had a change of career and became an artist, specialising in water colours. His father had died tragically early with a brain tumour, just one year after Charles was born and he was raised by his mother, Mary, along with his 5 siblings. In 1880, Charles exhibited at the Dundee Fine Art Exhibition and later sold 4 paintings at the Royal Scottish Academy's Exhibition. He also exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts. He lived with his family until his late thirties when he married Jane Vassie Braidwood at St George's church, Edinburgh in 1883. The couple moved from Scotland to Worthing, living at Seaforth, St. Michael's Road, next door to his mother's house, Rosetta.
Charles and Jane had 6 children, Rosamund b.1883, Mabel b.1887, Constance b.1888, Charles b.1890, and Harold b.1895. Their daughter, Winifred Vassie Duncan, was born in April 1893 but died aged 4 months. Charles was widowed in 1904 and in 1905 his mother, who now lived with him, also died. He then moved to "Abingsworth" in Tongdean Road, Brighton with his 5 children. Charles died, aged 86yrs, on 5th April 1929. Probate was granted on 13th May to James George Meade retired stockbroker and Rosemund Esme Dell, wife of Henry Benifold Dell. Effects £5305 5s 11d.