Sergey Timofeevich Aksakov was born in 1791 in Ufa to Timofey Stepanovich Aksakov, who worked as a prosecutor in the zemstvo court. Timofey Stepanovich came from an old but not wealthy family and was married to Maria Nikolaevna Zubova. Maria, an intelligent and authoritative woman, grew up among the higher bureaucracy and received a good education, corresponding in her youth with the enlightener Nikolai Ivanovich Novikov.

The future writer's childhood was spent in Ufa and at the family estate Novo-Aksakovo in the Orenburg province. His grandfather, Stepan Mikhailovich Aksakov, who dreamed of a grandson to continue the family line, had a significant influence on him. D. Mirsky described Stepan as an energetic landowner who organized a settlement of serfs in the Bashkir steppes. Sergey inherited from his father a love of nature and early developed a passion for books; by the age of four, he could read, and by five, he was reciting Sumarakov and Kheraskov, retelling tales from the 'Thousand and One Nights.'

In 1799, Sergey entered Kazan Gymnasium, but soon his mother took him back due to separation and the boy's developing illness. He returned to the gymnasium in 1801. In 1804, the upper classes of the gymnasium became the first course of Kazan University, where Aksakov studied until 1807.

During his studies, he participated in student journals, where he published his first poetic attempts. Later, fascinated by the theories of A. S. Shishkov, he became an adherent of his literary views, which, however, did not significantly influence his style. From 1806, he was a member of the 'Society of Lovers of Native Literature' and organized a student theater.

In 1807, after graduating from university, Aksakov moved to Moscow and then to St. Petersburg, where he worked as a translator in the Commission for the Compilation of Laws. He combined work with literary activity and became close to well-known writers and actors. In 1811, he returned to Moscow, where he expanded his circle of literary acquaintances.

During the Patriotic War of 1812, Aksakov went to the Orenburg province, where he engaged in translating classical literature. His translations and publications brought him fame and membership in the Society of Lovers of Russian Literature.

In 1816, he married Olga Semyonovna Zaplatina, and they had ten children. In 1826, the family moved to Moscow, where Aksakov returned to government service.

In 1840, he began working on 'Family Chronicle,' but shifted to books about fishing and hunting. Full-fledged work on his memoirs resumed in 1852. The publication of 'Family Chronicle' caused friction with the censors and relatives, forcing Aksakov to change names and titles in the book.

'Family Chronicle' describes the life of the Bagrov family and the gentry lifestyle. Critics saw it as a denunciation of the serfdom system. 'Memoirs' cover Aksakov's student years and are based on his childhood and youthful impressions.

After completing 'Family Chronicle,' Aksakov worked on 'The Childhood Years of Bagrov-Grandson,' aiming to create a book for children without moralizing. This book, published in 1858, describes the hero's childhood and became one of the best works on child development. An appendix to it included the tale 'The Scarlet Flower,' which became popular.

Aksakov's memoir-biographical trilogy occupies an important place in Russian literature and received recognition from critics and readers. Leo Tolstoy mentioned Aksakov as an example of innovation in Russian prose. His style even influenced his correspondence, as seen in a letter to V. I. Bezozdravov.