He completed secondary education in Kherson, Ukraine; then studied for a year in Rostov, Russia and moved to Saint Petersburg seeking university degree.

Engineering however did not attract Shatunovsky and he dedicated himself to mathematics, voluntarily attending lectures by Chebyshev.

After returning from Switzerland, he lived in small Russian towns, earning by private lessons.

Their quality was acknowledged; Shatunovsky was admitted to the university, received financial support, obtained a degree and was appointed as staff member in 1905.

Despite severe pain associated with his illness, he kept his usual sense of humor and continued to lecture almost until the day he died.