Charles James Pooley (1836–1900) was a textile manufacturer who was active in the art reform movement in late Victorian Manchester. He was chairman of the Exhibition Committee at Manchester Art Gallery and was instrumental in building up the gallery’s collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. His collection of watercolours, including at least a dozen by or attributed to Girtin, was dispersed at Christie’s (Exhibitions: Christie’s, 6 March 1880; Christie’s, 24 February 1888).