Alferaki was educated at home before attending the historical and philological faculty at Moscow University.

One of his family's descendants was Anna Marly, a Russian-born French singer and songwriter, author of Chant des Partisans and a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur.

During his time as mayor period of office, the city's streets were paved with cobblestones, trees were planted along the pavements, and the first boulevards were built.

His proposals to erect a monument to Peter I The Great and for a major reconstruction of Taganrog's harbour were realised.

While in St Petersburg, he wrote more than 100 romances, compositions and two operas St. John's Eve and The Earl King.