Charles Clyde Bowden (July 20, 1945 – August 30, 2014) was an American non-fiction author, journalist and essayist based in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

[3][4][5] He attended Tucson High School, the University of Arizona, and the University of Wisconsin, where he obtained his master's degree in American intellectual history;[4] while there he walked out as he was defending his dissertation for his doctorate, annoyed by the questions asked him by the review committee.

[7][8] He was known for his writings on the situation at the US–Mexico border and wrote often about the effects of the War on Drugs on the lives of the people in that region.

[5] Earlier in his career his writings focused more on environmental issues, the beauty of nature, and sustainability challenges.

[9] Bowden was married and divorced twice, and had long-term relationships and professional partnerships with writer Mary Martha Miles and research librarian Molly Molloy.