He was the eldest son of Henry Charteris, Printer to the King in Scotland (this status allowed printing of Bibles and other restricted books).
He was a student in the first class taught by Robert Rollock, which numbered four future professors, two of whom, Charteris and Patrick Sands, later became principals of the university.
In 1617, when James VI and I visited Scotland, a disputation was held before him at Stirling Castle by the professors of the university, but Charteris declined to take part in it.
Among the royal puns on this occasion, James is said to joked on Charteris, 'His name agreeth very well unto nature, for charters contain much matter yet say nothing, but put great purposes in men's mouths.'
On 19 April 1627 he was recalled to fill the chair of professor of divinity, with a salary of a thousand merks and a house.