Charles Howarth (9 February 1814 – 25 June 1868) was a British cotton-worker, co-operator, Owenite, and co-founder of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers.

[2] On 11 August 1844 Howarth was appointed as one of the three trustees of a new co-op, the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, who opened a shop at 31 Toad Lane.

The shop was successful and the society began to grow rapidly, while the business model and rules adopted by the pioneers were then replicated by others.

He also played a role in founding the Rochdale District Cooperative Corn Mill and served as a director of the Co-operative Insurance Society until his death.

[1] In 1944 Venezuela issued a set of postage stamps of Howarth to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers.