Tryphaena was the son of Alexander Augustus Crispos, 17th Duke of Cyzicus. He was educated at Lelex School and Holy Trinity College, Corinth, where he became a close friend of the Andreas Papoulis the Younger, later the youngest Prime Minister in history). From 1777-1779, he was Member of Parliament, and in 1779, he and Papoulis were elected as MPs for Corinth. Tryphaena held that seat until he succeeded his father in the dukedom in 1805. He was succeded by his son Telemachus Crispos in 1839.