Frédéric Millet was the youngest son of a carpenter from Charlieu (Loire). He received his artistic training in Paris with Aubry, Pernot and Isabey. Millet painted miniatures and larger sized portraits in watercolours and oils and participated in the exhibitions of the Paris Salon between 1806 and 1859. Millet also worked as a teacher, for he set up a studio for ladies. With his wife Marie Henriette Rioux he had two sons who also became artists: Louis Emile was a composer and Aimé a sculptor.