David Davidovich Burliuk was born on 9th (21) July, 1882 into the family of an amateur agriculturist. As a child he lost his left eye in a fight with his brother. So he had one glass eye, which became a part of his artistic image. In 1898—1910 he studied in art colleges in Kazan and Odessa. He also studied painting in Germany and France. The artist made his debut in press in 1899.

Having returned to Russia, in 1907—1908 Burliuk mixed with leftward artists and participated in art exhibitions. In 1911—1914 he studied together with Vladimir Mayakovsky in the Moscow Painting, Sculpture and Architecture School.

Possessing outstanding managerial abilities, David Burliuk quickly accumulated the main powers of futurism. With his direct assistance numerous books of poetry were published, prospects issued, exhibitions and public debates arranged.

During World War I David Burliuk was not subject to drafting due to his glass left eye. He lived in Moscow, had his verses published, contributed for some newspapers, and painted. In 1918—1920 he toured together with Vasily Kamensky and Vladimir Mayakovsky across the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East. In 1920 he immigrated to Japan, where he lived for two years, painting and studying Oriental culture. In 1922 he moved to the USA.

In New York David Burliuk developed activity in pro-Soviet oriented groups and, having written a poem for the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution, he aspired to gain recognition as the father of the Russian futurism. David Burliuk published his poetry books, brochures, and magazines together with his wife Maria Nikiforovna Burliuk and with the help of his friends distributed those editions, mainly within the USSR. From 1930 and for some decades David Burliuk himself published his magazine Color and Rhyme, from 4 to 100 pages large, written partly in English, and partly in Russian, with his paintings, poems, reviews, reproductions of futurist works, etc.

In 1956 and 1965 he visited the USSR. Despite repeated offers to publish his works in the USSR, he failed to have even a few lines printed.

David Burliuk died on 15th January 1967 in Hampton Bays, New York. Following his will, his family had his body cremated and dispelled the ashes over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.