Charles Wesley Elmer (1872–1954) was an American amateur astronomer and court reporter who co-founded the Perkin-Elmer optical company in 1937.
He was born in New York City, and for most of his life he was employed as a court reporter.
In 1936, he met Richard S. Perkin, and the two decided to form an optical business in New York.
This would grow to become the Perkin-Elmer optical company, which was officially incorporated on April 19, 1937.
Charles Elmer served as the secretary-treasurer of the Perkin-Elmer company until he retired in 1949.