Biography

Marc Antoine Muret was born on April 12, 1526, in Ambazac at a place called "Muret" in the Limousin region. His father being a jurist, he developed a passion for sciences such as rhetoric and philosophy from a very young age. He became a professor at the age of only 19, starting his career in Auch around 1545. The young professor followed the sage advice of a certain Julius Caesar Scaliger, a scholar living in Agen. Subsequently, he taught in Villeneuve-d'Agen, Poitiers, and from 1547 to 1551 in Bordeaux at the famous Collège de Guyenne, where a certain Michel de Montaigne was one of his students.

Paris opened its doors to Muret in 1551, where he met several members of the future group named "La Pléiade," including Étienne Jodelle, Jean Dorat, Joachim du Bellay, and Jean-Antoine de Baïf. He also participated in the famous ceremony in Arcueil called "La Pompe du Bouc," an event that gathered the young poets of La Pléiade and their masters, including Marc Antoine Muret. Unfortunately, his stay in Paris ended badly as he was accused of killing someone, leading to his imprisonment at the Châtelet. He was released thanks to some powerful friends. After this mishap, he went to Toulouse, but once again, he was accused, this time of sodomy and heresy, which forced him to exile to Italy.

He first found refuge in Venice, and a few years later, he was invited by Cardinal Ippolito d'Este to come to Rome. Thanks to this opportunity, Muret showcased his oratory talent, earning him the position of official orator of France to the Popes.

Thus, Marc Antoine Muret's success grew as he became a professor at the famous university "La Sapienza." For his various works, including "Varia Lectiones" and "Juvenilia," the Pope granted him Roman citizenship.

He was recognized throughout Europe for his work and his oratory skills. Towards the end of his life, while still teaching, he decided to enter the religious orders.

Marc Antoine Muret died in Rome on June 4, 1585, and was buried the next day in the church of the Trinità dei Monti.

DEJOB Charles, Marc-Antoine Muret, un professeur français en Italie dans la seconde moitié du XVIe siècle, 1881.

JOUKOVSKY Françoise, MURET Marc-Antoine, in Universalis, 1999.