Mehmed Ata Bey

Mehmed Atâ Bey, whose date of birth could not be determined, was one of the late Ottoman bureaucrats who served as director of the Bâbıâli Hazine-i Evrak.

This figure, also referred to in sources as Mehmed Atâullah or simply Atâ Bey, was appointed director of the Hazine-i Evrak on 15 July 1892 and held this office until his death.

The Hazine-i Evrak was the archival organization established for the preservation of the central documents of the Ottoman State. Entering service in 1850, this institution formed the institutional basis of the Ottoman Archives.

Mehmed Atâ Bey also assumed responsibility in some matters related to the cultural and administrative life of the Bâbıâli. During the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II, Mehmed Atâullah, or Atâ Bey, as Director of the Hazine-i Evrak, supervised the construction of the Bâbıâli Library, built for the use of Bâbıâli officials and clerks.

Mehmed Atâ Bey died on 15 Muharram 1317 (25 May 1899) and was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery.