On completion of his schooling, Muthuswamy served in subordinate posts in the civil service while continuing his education.

Muthuswamy served as a judge of the Madras High Court from 1877 till his death in 1895, acting as the Chief Justice for three months in 1893.

He advocated social reform and campaigned in support of women's education, widow remarriage and the legal recognition of sambandham, collaborating closely with C. V. Runganada Sastri and R. Raghunatha Rao.

Muthuswamy was born in a Brahmin family in Vuchuwadi, Madras Presidency, British Raj on 28 January 1832.

Around this time, Muthuswamy's talents were recognised by the tahsildar Muthuswamy Naicker who arranged for the former to study at Sir Henry Montgomery's school in Madras as a companion to his young nephew, and there he won prizes and scholarships year after year.

[5][7][8] This prompted a strong reaction from Indian nationalists who founded The Hindu newspaper to voice public opinion against the outrage.

During his tenure as President of the Commission, he campaigned for the legal recognition of Sambandham and other forms of marriage practised in the Malabar.