Charles Simeon Hare (1808 – 22 July 1882) was a politician in colonial South Australia.^[1]

Hare was born in London, England,^[1] and arrived in South Australia in September 1836, with Sir John Morphett, to whom he acted as private secretary, and was subsequently employed by the South Australian Company.^[2]

In July 1851 he was elected to the unicameral South Australian Legislative Council for West Torrens. After the results initially appearing to be a tie of 197 each for him and his opponent he was declared the winner days later by a majority of two votes.^[3] He resigned from Parliament in June of 1854.

He was a vigorous opponent of State aid to religion and transportation. In January 1855 he was appointed a Commissioner for effectuating the wishes of Parliament in relation to the Adelaide and Gawler Railway Bill.^[2]

On 5 March 1857 Hare was elected to the first South Australian Legislative Assembly for Yatala, but resigned on 12 May 1858,^[4] on being appointed Superintendent of the Stockade.^[2] Hare became Manager of Railways in succession to Mr. Drake, in July 1860, but was removed from office in May 1865, in consequence of an accident to a train carrying the Governor and Ministry, for which a Commission of Inquiry held him culpable. After an experience of several years as a planter in Fiji, Hare returned to South Australia and managed a mine near Moonta.^[2] In 1875, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Assembly, his defeat being due to his opposition to the men's demands during the great Moonta strike, in 1874.^[2] Hare represented the district of Wallaroo from 5 April 1878 to 10 April 1881,^[4] when he resigned and revisited England, returning to South Australia in the following year.^[2] Hare died on 22 July 1882 in Adelaide, South Australia, survived by his wife; he was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery.^[1]