Yusuf Kâmil was born in the Anatolian city of
Arapgir, and belonged to the Gökbeyi family of the
Aq Qoyunlu tribe. His father, Ismâil Beyzâde Mehmed Bey, died when he was young, and he was raised by his uncle Gümrükçü Osman Pasha. While Osman Pasha served as the governor of the
sanjaks of
Kayseri and
Bozok in
Ankara Eyalet, Yusuf Kâmil was educated by private tutors, but finished his education in Istanbul after his uncle was recalled to the capital. In 1829, after completing his education, Yusuf Kâmil entered government service, and worked as a scribe for the
Imperial Divan for four years. After entering the service of
Mehmed Ali Pasha, he eventually worked his way up in the court, and eventually married Mehmed Ali's daughter, Zeynep Hanim. In 1845, Mehmed Ali Pasha sent Yusuf Kâmil on a mission as the Egyptian envoy to the wedding of
Mahmud II's daughter
Adile Sultan to
Damat Mehmed Ali Pasha. He travelled to Istanbul with lavish gifts and tribute. In recognition of his role, the Sultan granted Yusuf Kâmil the title
Mîr-i Mîrân (), equivalent to the rank of
beylerbey. After several months of captivity in exile, and many letters written to the Sultan and to the Grand Vizier
Mustafa Reşid Pasha, Yusuf Kâmil was finally released, and was permitted to travel to Istanbul, where he was reunited with his wife.
Awards •
Order of Distinction (1855) •
Order of Osmanieh (1861) == References ==