Born in the Meshchovsky Uyezd of Kaluga Governorate to a doctor's family, he received secondary education at the Moscow's Third Gymnasium and, while still an 18-year old Pedagogical Institute student, debuted as published author in Moskvityanin with an essay called "Gaius Valerius Catullus and his Works".

Among the scholars impressed by it was Mikhail Pogodin who insisted upon his transfer to Moscow University where in 1857, after graduation, Tikhonravov started to read Russian literature.

The history of old Russian theatre has been revived and thoroughly documented by Tikhonravov's efforts exclusively.

He authored numerous essays and articles of the works of Antioh Cantemir, Mikhail Lomonosov and Alexander Sumarokov, among others.

[1][2] In 1882 Tikhonravov was honoured with the title Meritorious Professor of Moscow University, of which he was rector, in 1877–1883.