A composition for resist underlayer film formation contains: a compound having a partial structure represented by the following formula (1); and a solvent. In the formula (1): X represents a group represented by formula (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv). In the formula (i): R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms provided that at least one of R1 and R2 represents the substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or the substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms; or R1 and R2 taken together represent a part of a ring structure having 3 to 20 ring atoms together with the carbon atom to which R1 and R2 bond.