The son of Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg, he was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania. He was educated at Franckesche Stiftungen in Halle starting in 1763 and in 1769 at the University of Halle.
As the son of Heinrich Melchior Muhlenberg, he was educated in Trappe, Pennsylvania. He began his studies at Franckesche Stiftungen in Halle in 1763 and continued at the University of Halle in 1769.