Yusuf Zeki Efendi

The life of Yusuf Zeki Efendi began in Istanbul in 1830/31 (AH 1246). At about 24, in 1854/55, Yusuf Zeki began work, on a first salary of 500 kuruş. The first annual entry, for 1854/55, names Yusuf Zeki as Müsikâne-i Hümayun mülazımı, with no place. The lists have no entry for 1855 to 1867. Next came Paris in 1867/68. For 1868 to 1873 the lists have no entry. Alongside, the lists for 1867 to 1897 give a second post, in a post with no place named as Floransa Sefareti ateşesi. The farthest post, Paris, lay about 2,250 km from Istanbul, and fewer than 3 per cent of the 5,339 officials with a known birthplace and place of service served as far from the birthplace.

Pay rose from 500 kuruş a month in 1854/55 to a peak of 3,000 in 1887/88, when 95 per cent of paid officials earned less. Over 11 years the salaries add up to 366,000 kuruş, 6.9 times what an official on the median salary earned. Over the years with a salary, pay stood on average in the top 7.3 per cent of each year's paid officials, a standing reached by fewer than 2 per cent of the 4,381 officials paid for five years or more. The last annual entry is for 1896/97.