Ofrosimov was born into a noble family in the Tula gubernia. He began his military service in 1814 as a corporal with the Lifeguards of the Izmailovsky regiment. In 1833, having risen to the rank of major-general, he was appointed commander of the Lifeguards of the Finnish regiment and fought in the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829. He was decorated "for zeal and courage" displayed in the siege of the fortress of Varna.
At the beginning of 1864, Ofrosimov found himself in Moscow. His name is linked with the creation of the Museum of Art and Industry. The Russian Exhibition of the Products of Agriculture and Rural Industry opened in September 1864, and on 3 June 1865, a Manufacturing Exhibition was held in accord with a tradition dating back to the governorship of Prince Golitsyn.
Ofrosimov's attention was also directed to questions of city management such as improving the water supply, prohibiting the construction of wooden public baths and considering the possibility of using "flowing gas" for city lighting.
Ofrosimov was well known in literary and musical circles: he wrote poetry, some of which was set to music, and also translated several French plays for the theatre, one of which—The Maltese Cavalier—was very successfully staged.
He was relieved of his duties at his own request, retaining the title of member of the State Council.
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