Yusuf Pasha was of Georgian origin and served the sultans Abdulhamid I and Selim III as Grand Vizier. After his master freed him, he worked for the navy and served as governor of the Morea. As Grand Vizier, he fought in the Ottoman-Russian war. He as Grand Admiral between his two appointments as Grand Vizier.

Yusuf Pasha built the fountain/sebil in Kabataş.