Born in Wellington in 1892, Murray Fuller was educated at Mount Cook School and the Wellington Technical School of Art.

After leaving the Technical School, Murray Fuller worked as an artist first for John Ilott and then Charles Haines, advertising agents. Edwin Murray Fuller, 'Commercial Artist', and Mary Hamilton were married at the Wellington Registrar's Office on 19 March, 1913. During the First World War, Murray Fuller served in France, rising to the rank of sergeant.