Köprülü family

The Köprülü family (Köprülü ailesi) was a noble family of Albanian origin in the Ottoman Empire. The family provided six grand viziers, (including Kara Mustafa Pasha, who was a stepson) with several others becoming high-ranking officers.

Notable modern descendants include Mehmet Fuat Köprülü, a prominent historian of Turkish literature. Members of the family continue to live in Turkey or the United States.

Köprülü Grand Viziers
In the history of the Ottoman Empire, the Köprülü grand viziers have a reputation for dynamism in a state that would later show signs of decline and stagnation. The early viziers in particular focused on military campaigns that extended the Empire's power. This, however came to an end after the disastrous Battle of Vienna launched by Kara Mustafa Pasha, a member of the family (see also the Treaty of Karlowitz).

1 Kara Mustafa Pasha had been adopted by the Köprülü family and was the brother-in-law of Köprülü Fazıl Ahmet Pasha.

2 Abaza Siyavuş Pasha was a servant of Köprülü Mehmet Pasha. By marrying his daughter, Siyavuş became a son-in-law (damat) of the powerful Köprülü family.