Mayer Şıvatman Efendi

Born in Istanbul in 1876/77 (AH 1293), Mayer Şıvatman Efendi came from the Musevi community; the father was a tradesman (esnaf). At about 22, in 1898/99, Mayer Şıvatman began work, on a first salary of 600 kuruş. The annual lists begin in 1898/99, with Mayer Şıvatman as belediye tabibi and no place named. Mayer Şıvatman then moved to Uşak, Isparta and Bozdoğan from 1899 to 1905. Alongside, the lists for 1904 to 1907 give a second post, in Zonguldak as belediye tabibi. Alongside, the lists for 1906 to 1908 give a second post, in Bitlis as vilayet belediye tabibi. Alongside, the lists for 1907 to 1909 give a second post, in Istanbul as sekizinci belediye dairesi tabibi. The annual lists then follow Mayer Şıvatman to Yozgat from 1909 to 1911. Alongside, the lists for 1910/11 give a second post, in Istanbul as Emniyet-i Umumiye zabıta tabibi. The last entry, for 1912/13, names Mayer Şıvatman as Sıhhiye Müdürlüğü başkâtibi, with no place. Seven provinces on two continents in all, a number reached by fewer than 2 per cent of the 6,605 officials with a place of service.

The salary went from 600 kuruş a month in 1898/99 to 1,500 in 1912/13, the peak, when 55 per cent of paid officials earned less. The final annual entry is for 1912/13.