Giritli Ali Aziz Efendi (Giridli ʿAlī ʿAzīz Efendi, 1162/1748 or 1749–1213/1798), an Ottoman diplomat and writer, was born in Candia (Turk. Kandiye; Gr. Heraklion), Crete. Following the death of his wealthy father—Tahmisçi Mehmed Efendi (Taḥmīṣci Meḥmed Efendi), the defterdar (defterdār) of Crete—Ali Aziz Efendi squandered his inheritance and moved to Istanbul. Constrained to enter the service of the state, he became muhassıl (muḥaṣṣil, tax collector) of Chios and later an official in charge of selling property in Belgrade (c. 1206–8/1792–4). He was appoin…