Yousuf Karsh

Yousuf Karsh, CC (December 23, 1908 – July 13, 2002) was one of the world?s most renowned portrait photographers.

Biography

Karsh was born in Mardin, Turkey. At the age of 14, he fled with his family to the safety of Syria to escape persecution after the Armenian Genocide six years earlier. Two years later, young Yousuf was sent to live with his uncle George Nakash, a photographer in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Karsh attended school there briefly and assisted in his uncle?s studio. Nakash saw great potential in his nephew and, in 1928, arranged for Karsh to apprentice with portrait photographer John Garo of Boston.

Related Topics:
Mardin - Turkey - Syria - Armenian Genocide - Sherbrooke, Quebec - Canada - 1928 - Boston

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Karsh returned to Canada four years later, eager to make his mark. He established a studio on Sparks Street in Ottawa, close to Canada?s seat of government. Eventually, the Canadian Prime Minister, Mackenzie King, discovered the yet unknown Karsh and took a liking to him. The Prime Minister arranged introductions for Karsh with visiting dignitaries, whom he convinced to sit for portraits. His work was attracting the attention of varied celebrities, but Karsh?s own place in history was sealed in 1941 when Winston Churchill came to Ottawa.

Related Topics:
Sparks Street - Ottawa - Mackenzie King - Winston Churchill

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The image of Churchill that he created then brought the photographer to international prominence, and is claimed to be the most reproduced photographic portrait in history. Of the 100 people named by the International Who?s Who as the most notable people of the century, Karsh had photographed 51. Karsh himself was the only Canadian to make the list.

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In 1967, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 1990 was promoted to Companion.

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On his passing in 2002, he was interred in Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.

Related Topics:
2002 - Notre Dame Cemetery - Ottawa, Ontario

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