Charles H. Hayes is an author, editorial cartoonist, and award-winning artist and sculptor. Inspired to create an engaging book for youths, his main goal was to encourage them to look beyond the simplification of the Civil War as a conflict between the virtuous North and the evil South. Captivated by a great interest and pride in Civil War history, Hayes is a life member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, and a board member for the Camp Ford Historical Association. He is also an active member of the East Texas Writers Guild and writes fiction books.
Hayes earned his BA from Rice University and MA from the University of Texas, both in physics. After retiring as a systems analyst from Lockheed Martin, where he was also the editor of the in-house monthly magazine, Challenge, Hayes focused on his love of art. He opened an art gallery and became an accomplished sculptor, winning several awards in juried shows with his Western bronzes. He has also contributed editorial cartoons to the Huntsville (AL) Times, the Tyler (TX) Morning Telegraph, and the Citizens Informer. He twice won awards at the prestigious Central South Art Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee.
Hayes lives with his wife, Natalie, in Tyler, Texas, and has two grown daughters. He shows his art in a virtual gallery on the web and enjoys bass fishing, writing, and chess.