Kosta Trifković, born on Danube Street ("Dunavska ulica") in the city of Novi Sad on October 20, 1843, was the only child of Atanasije and Ane Trifković. He studied in Novi Sad, Vinkovci, Pest, and in Rijeka took courses in seafaring. He went to sea just before finishing high school, but his delicate health proved unequal to the task, and after two years sailing the seven seas he went to Bratislava (Pozun) to study law. Upon graduation, he moved back to Novi Sad where he established his law practice with a colleague, Djordje Vukičević, in 1867. In 1870 he became a senator and president of the borough court in Novi Sad. There he wrote plays in his spare time. Soon his passion for the stage completely engrossed him, he tried his hand both at dramatic criticism and at dramatic authorship.