He was the nephew of the architect Giovanni Azzurri, a professor of architecture at the Academy of St. Luke in Rome.
Francesco studied Engineering and Architecture at the University of Rome, under San Bartolo and Sereni, afterward in the Accademia di San Luca under his uncle.
He dedicated himself to designing for charitable institutions, including hospitals and asylums.
He became professor and president of the Accademia di San Luca in Rome.
He was named Commissioner for the Edification of the Palazzo of Fine Arts in Rome, Municipal Consigliere, and member of the Commission Archeologica, Edilizia e degli Archivii.