Charles Hatcher was born in Doerun, Georgia on July 1, 1939. He served in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962, and earned a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1969. He went into private practice in Albany, and served that area in the Georgia legislature as a Democrat from 1973-1980. In 1980, Hatcher was elected to the 2nd U.S. Congressional District seat from Georgia. He was defeated in the 1992 Democratic primary after being targeted with allegations of involvement in a House banking scandal. Hatcher was cleared of any wrongdoing in 1993 and currently lives in Newton, Georgia.

Interviewed by Mel Steely on January 11, 1990.

The interview begins with a discussion of Hatcher's childhood and upbringing in Doerun, Georgia. He discusses his family, education, and extracurricular activities. The conversation goes through his life up through college and law school, and Hatcher talks about the advantages and challenges of political science. Dr. Steely asks about the decision to found a law firm and his interest in criminal trials. The interview shifts to Hatcher's 1973 special election for Congress, and from then on focuses mainly on politics. Hatcher gives his opinions on major issues and on other politicians, like Jimmy Carter and Thomas Murphy. Discussions about the roles of presidents that Hatcher worked with, as well as major political issues and how they tackled them come up several times.