Sir Charles Porter (6 September 1631 – 8 December 1696), was a flamboyant and somewhat controversial English-born politician and judge, who nonetheless enjoyed a highly successful career.
He sat in the English House of Commons, and was twice Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
As Chancellor, he survived an attempt by his political enemies to impeach him, and attempts to persuade the English Crown to remove him from office.
In the last months of his life he was effectively head of the Irish government.
In his dealings with the Irish people he was noted for tolerance in religious matters.
He was a heavy drinker and was chronically short of money.
Nonetheless as a lawyer he was considered to be strictly honest, and he died a relatively poor man.
Although he had his critics, he was described by his friends as "a man who had the good fortune to be universally beloved".