Zlatovratsky was born in Vladimir, where his father was a minor government official.

His father set up a library for local people, and it was here that Zlatovratsky first became familiar with literature.

He attended a gymnasium, and studied for a time at the St Petersburg Technological Institute, but had to leave for lack of money.

He found a position as proof-reader at a newspaper, where he became interested in writing.

He was a member of the Moscow literary group Sreda from its inception in 1899 until his death.