Charles Anson Morey (August 9, 1851 – September 26, 1904) was an American attorney, educator, and inventor.
In 1872, Morey graduated from Winona Normal School. Following his graduation, he would study at the Boston School of Technology (now MIT). While there, he invented his own version of the phonautograph in 1874, which was the first one capable of scientific use. His phonautograph would be used by Alexander Graham Bell to record the first vowel sounds. Specifically, it was used to record the vowel 'oo', as in 'mood'. It remained unable to be converted back into sound until ~2015. He would become Principal of the Winona Normal School in 1876, serving for three years. During his term, the Department of Natural Sciences was founded. Morey was first acting principal, and was formally elected principal on December 6, 1876, and formally took office on January 1, 1877. He resigned on May 13, 1879. Known for his oratory and debate skills, he became an attorney following his resignation. He died in 1904 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetary in Winona.
Morey Hall at Winona State University is named after him.
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