He studied at Saint Petersburg University, and in 1859 his works began to be published in local papers.

In 1861 he participated in student disturbances associated with reforms in the Russian empire, for which he was expelled from the University.

He moved to Siberia, where in 1863 he held minor posts in government departments.

Nikolai's works were mainly related to the subject of Siberian peasants after the Emancipation reform of 1861.

Among his most famous works are the collection of short stories and essays Strength Breaks the Straw (1874), and the collections of essays Cobweb (1880), Mountain Idyll and Sarbyska.