Charles Barrois was born on April 21, 1851, in Lille, France.

He was a French geologist and paleontologist. He was educated at the Jesuit College of St. Joseph in his native town. His work that was rigorous and based on detailed observation, covered the entire field of geology. His fame spread internationally, even before he was recognized in his own country, and he was honored by many European and American academies. In 1881, he was awarded the Bigsby medal, and in 1901, the Wollaston medal by the Geological Society of London. He became a Foreign Member of the Royal Society of London. In 1907, he created the Musée Houiller (Carboniferous Museum) alongside the Museum Gosselet in Lille. He was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1915. He was made Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur and was named its commander in 1923. He was also a professor of geology at the University of Lille and in 1936, he was appointed member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City.

He died on November 5, 1939, in St Genevieve-en-Caux and is buried in Lille, France.