Born in 1526 at Muret (Limousin), of poor but noble family, he was of independent, somewhat capricious character, unable to endure professors, and consequently he was mainly his own teacher, though he often sought advice from Jules-Cesar Scaliger.

Muret was universally admired in his day for his learning and his eloquence, and is still regarded not only as a great Latinist and a fine writer, but as a notable man, of high intelligence, and remarkable, moreover, for courtesy in polemics in an age when that quality was not too common.

His portrait shows a somewhat coarse and rustic but intelligent face.

He conquered honor and respect before he died in 1585, at the age of 59.

In early life Muret wrote wanton erotic poems to women which seem based on personal experience.