He graduated from Acadia College in Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 1858, and from Newton Theological Seminary in 1861.

He previously accepted a commission with the USCC when he accompanied the 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment to Virginia in the summer of 1862.

[3] In 1867, a Richmond campus of the National Theological Institute was established by Dr. Nathaniel Colver of the American Baptist Home Mission Society.

The school was renamed again as the Richmond Theological Seminary (also called Institute) which Charles Corey headed for 30 years.

[5] The L. Douglas Wilder Library and Learning Resource Center holds the records of the Richmond Theological Seminary which includes Corey's personal and business correspondence.