Yusuf Misak Efendi

The life of Yusuf Misak Efendi began in Istanbul in 1847/48 (AH 1264); the father's occupation was "Maliye sarrafı". Work began in 1863/64, at about 16. The first annual entry, for 1863/64, names Yusuf Misak as Tahrirat-ı Hariciye Odası mülazımı, with no place. Alongside, the lists for 1868 to 1873 give a second post, in Peste as Peşte Başşehbenderliği kâtibi. At the same time, from 1872 to 1875, the lists also place Yusuf Misak in Pazar (Atina) as Atina Sefareti ikinci kâtibi. The annual lists then follow Yusuf Misak to a post with no place named from 1875 to 1881. The last posts were in Paris from 1881 to 1886. Paris, about 2,250 km from Istanbul, was the post farthest from the birthplace; fewer than 3 per cent of the 5,339 officials with a known birthplace and place of service served as far from home.

Pay rose from 2,000 kuruş a month in 1868/69 to a peak of 4,000 in 1885/86, in Paris, when 96 per cent of paid officials earned less. Over six years the salaries add up to 189,600 kuruş, 6.1 times what an official on the median salary earned, a level reached by fewer than 4 per cent of the 4,381 officials paid for five years or more. The last annual entry is for 1885/86.