He published his first works in 1794 and contributed to various journals and papers for the rest of his life.

He was considered to be a follower of the neo-classical school, but the simplicity and feeling exhibited in his shorter poems gave them lasting popularity.

In 1815 Merzlyakov launched and became the editor-in-chief of the short-lived but influential Amphion magazine.

His in-depth analysis of Kheraskov's Rossiyada (serialized in Nos.

He stated that "literature was the highest achievement of a people, a sign of political and moral successes".