Mehmed Vefik Efendi

Mehmed Vefik Efendi was born in Çemişgezek in 1858/59 (AH 1275); the father's occupation was "Ziraatçı". At about 23, in 1881/82, Mehmed Vefik began work in Gaziantep (Antep), on a first salary of 500 kuruş. The annual lists begin in 1881/82, with Mehmed Vefik as Rüsum-ı sitte idaresi geçici tütün yoklama memuru in Gaziantep. Alongside, the lists for 1881 to 1888 give a second post, in a post with no place named as Görevin sona ermesi. Alongside, the lists for 1887 to 1889 give a second post, in İskenderun as Düyun-ı umumiye idaresi başkâtibi. Alongside, the lists for 1888 to 1890 give a second post, in Payas as Düyun-ı umumiye idaresi memuru. Alongside, the lists for 1891/92 give a second post, in Aleppo as Çekerek mahmî komisyonu kâtibi. The last post was in Antakya in 1905/06.

The salary never rose above the first in the lists, 500 kuruş a month in 1881/82, in Gaziantep, when 60 per cent of paid officials earned less. The peak lasted a single year; the next list gives 300 kuruş. After 20 years the salary stood below the first, 200 kuruş against 500. Over 20 years the salaries add up to 91,200 kuruş, about what an official on the median salary earned. The last annual entry is for 1906/07.